The Hindu : Kerala News : Fifth KTM Kicks off in Kochi

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Kerala

Fifth KTM Kicks off in Kochi

Kerala Travel Mart is a perfect example of the synergy between the public and private sector, joining hands for the promotion of Tourism in the state. KTM today is the largest gathering that has been designed, planned and scheduled to facilitate meetings involving Buyers, Sellers, Media, Government Agencies and other relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry.

Kerala Travel Mart 2008 got underway at the Le-Meridien Convention Centre, Cochin on Saturday. The inaugural ceremony was held on 20th September, 2008 at 6.00 pm. The Mart was inaugurated by Shri.V.S.Achuthanandan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala. Smt. Ambika Soni, Hon. Union Minister for Tourism & Culture was the Chief Guest . The function was presided by the Hon’ble Minister for Home, Vigilance & Tourism Shri.Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Hon’ble M inister for Fisheries Shri.S.Sharma, Leader of Opposition Shri.Oommen Chandy, Kochi Mayor Prof. Mercy Williams, MP’s and MLA’s will attended the inaugural function. This is the fifth edition of the Travel Mart that is taking place in Kerala. The first KTM was held in September, 2000.

Besides seminars, pre/post Mart FAM tours and cultural evenings, the Mart provides the participants with a first hand experience of Kerala.

The large potential for growth in the tourism sector has resulted in a number of new players entering the industry with various services. This has not only resulted in a marked increase in the membership of the Society, but it has also increased the number of participants at this year’s KTM. All the 312 stalls being offered have already been booked.

The total number of stalls offered in 60 nos moe than the last KTM. The partticipants include 14 Ayurveda centres, 08 specialty hospitals, 26 home stays, 16 houseboats, 78 resorts, 59 tour operators and 46 hotels (Major hotel chains like the Taj Group, Le-Meridien, Leela, CGH Earth, Abad Group, KTDC and other will also be participating in the Mart). Hon’ble Minister for Home, Vigilance & Tourism Shri.Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will inaugurate the stalls on September 21st at 9.30 am.

The registration of Buyers at KTM 2008 began on 23rd January, 2008. So far 970 domestic and 570 International Buyers have registered for the Mart. In the last KTM, there were only 300 International and 500 domestic buyers. Around 50 countries will be represented at the Mart with a good number of them from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Austria, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, UK, Finland , Poland, Brazil, Peru, the USA, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman. On the domestic front, a large contingent of delegates will be coming from Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, UP, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Goa and so on. The registrations were officially closed on 31st July, 2008. Most of the Buyers are provided complimentary accommodation (room with breakfast) from 20th to 24th Sep 08 along with free transfers and Pre & Post Mart tours. The speciality of KTM 2008 will be the three seminars being organized. The first seminar taking place on the 21st at 10.30 am is on ’Responsible Tourism Initiative’, which is in association with Kudumbasree. Hon’ble Minister for Revenue Shri.K.P.Rajendran will be the Chief Guest for the Seminar. The second seminar on the 21st at 11.15 am is jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs.

The speakers of this seminar will be Tour Operators from IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa). Hob’ble Minister for Finance Dr.T.M.Thomas Issac will be the Chief Guest for the Seminar. The third seminar on the 23rd, at 10.30 am, is on ’Rural Tourism’. Shri.Mathew T.Thomas (Hon’ble Minister for Transport), Smt.Leena Nandan IAS (Joint Secretary, Tourism, Govt.of India) and Shri.C.V.Prasad (President TAAI & UFTAA) will be Gusests of Honour for the conference. The representatives from various states under the Rural Tourism Programme, will be participating in this Seminar. Also Hon’ble Ministers, Shri.Elamaram Kareem and Shri.Mons Joseph will be attending the different programmes at KTM 2008.

There will also be a book release function on Monday, 22nd September 2008 at 10 am at Raja Ravi Verma Hall. The book ’Looking Beyond’ is authored by the celebrated travel writers, Hugh and Colleen Gantzer. Shri.Amitabh Kant IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries and Special Commissioner (Labour), will release the book. The valedictory function on 23rd September at 4.30 pm will be presided by Hon’ble Minister for Education & Culture Shri.M.A.Baby followed by an award presentation. On the closing day the Mart is open to the public from 12 noon onwards.

Airlines like Air India, Sri Lankan Airlines, Silk Air, Jet Airways, Tour Operators and all the leading hotel chains in Kerala have come forward to sponsor this event.

The members of the KTM Society include Airlines, Ayurveda Centers, Event Managers (Tourism), Home stays, HOtels, Houseboats, Speciality Hospitals, Tour Operators; those specialized in promoting Adventure, Eco, Farm and Monsoon Tours, Wedding & Honeymoon Tours, Tourism Journals, Travel Agents and other service providers.

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