The eighth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), a buyer-seller meet organised by the Kerala’s tourism stakeholders, began in Kochi on Wednesday with 245 sellers showcasing the State’s hospitality and other tourism products to around 1,300 buyers.
The four-day event with Kerala villages as the theme will be on at Samudrika Convention Centre, Wellingdon Island, till Saturday. In his address, Secretary of Kerala Tourism Suman Billa said KTM showed the spirit of entrepreneurship of Kerala’s tourism stakeholders, where even the smallest tourism stakeholder could meet the biggest participating buyer.
The State’s Kumarakom-model Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative has become a benchmark for RT ventures, winning global acclaim. Kerala Tourism’s Spice Route initiative with the help of UNESCO will link 31 countries spread over Europe, Asia and Far East in what was once a historic and adventurous journey. Kerala traded with these countries during ancient days, he said.
Mr. Billa said the State’s backwaters were one of its kind in the world, while care had been taken to retain authenticity of Ayurveda. What is said to be the ancient port of Muziris (located north of Ernakulam) is becoming a major attraction and four museums are ready.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy spoke of how tourism brought Rs 23,000 crore revenue for the State in 2013. Home stays are among the main hospitality stakeholders of Kerala, which show guests life in rural Kerala.
Minister for Tourism A.P. Anilkumar exhorted guests to savour Kerala’s village atmosphere, taking a break from cities and towns. Income from tourism earned 10 per cent of the GDP for Kerala.
President of KTM Society Abraham George said the event was the largest travel mart in India focused on a single destination. A host of seminars too will be held in connection with the mart. He expressed concern over the recent changes in the State’s excise policy that might affect tourist inflow.
