Minister inaugurates the expo of the 12th edition of Kerala Travel Mart
Kochi, Sep. 27: Kerala Travel Mart has a big role in further boosting the tourism sector in the state in the context of positive signs of quick revival in the post-Covid period, according to Tourism and Public Works Minister PA Mohamed Riyas. The Minister said that in the last two years, Kerala has set a record for the arrival of domestic tourists, and Kerala Travel Martina (KTM) will add momentum to this.
Shri Riyas was inaugurating the expo of the 12th edition of KTM, the country’s largest travel mart, at the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Center on Wellington Island, Kochi, on Friday.
The Minister said Kerala Tourism’s recently released campaign video, ‘Ente Keralam Ennum Sundaram,’ which captures the state’s diversity and scenic beauty, is receiving a great response from travel enthusiasts worldwide.
“The campaign will attract more tourists in the current season, and the new edition of KTM is an important component of Kerala tourism that will accelerate its growth,” Shri Riyas said.
“In all, 2,893 buyers from across the world and Indian states are participating in KTM. This is also the best edition of the biennial event in terms of buyer patronage.” The KTM has 2,035 domestic and 804 foreign buyers from 76 countries keen to explore the state’s unique tourism products and varied destinations.
The Minister added that KTM would provide an excellent opportunity for the sellers to showcase their products and increase the number of tourist arrivals and bookings in the state. After opening the expo, the minister walked through the exhibitors’ stalls, that includes various hotel properties and excellent tourism products.
The minister also spent time at the stalls of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travels Studies (KITTS), Tamil Nadu Tourism, Karnataka Tourism and Incredible India. He engaged in pottery making at the Responsible Tourism pavilion for a while, and also interacted with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Tourism officials, thanking them for their participation. The Minister went through the album containing details of KTDC hotels and also visited the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society stall.
The Minister was accompanied by Tourism Secretary Shri K Biju, Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran, KTM Society President Jose Pradeep, Secretary S Swaminathan, and others. KTM has 347 stalls, which will be open until September 29. National and international experts will attend business meetings and seminars on the sidelines. The public can visit the mart for free on Sunday. This edition also marks the quarter century of the KTM Society’s formation.
