As many as 800 buyers have registered for the second edition of the three-day Homestays and Rural Tourism Travel Meet 2017 that commences at Bolgatty Palace, Kochi, on September 15.
Organised by the Kerala State Homestays and Tourism Association (Kerala HATS) with the support of Kerala Tourism, the event is aimed at preparing the tourism industry to understand the value and importance of 800 homestays, serviced villas, and rural tourism units in the state.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Director, Tourism, P. Bala Kiran said homestays would have a major role to play after the forthcoming re-branding of Kerala Tourism with focus on activity-oriented tourism in the State.
The agenda
B2B meetings, seminars, and cultural shows had been planned for the three days and 129 stalls had been booked by homestays and serviced villas, national tourist organisations, adventure sports units, and wildlife and ecotourism units, among others.
Mr. Bala Kiran said apart from buyers from Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, those from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Jaipur, and Punjab had confirmed their participation.
Director of Kerala Hats M.P. Sivadathan and D. Soman, president of the district unit, said vacationers were preferring homestays to hotels in the State.
GST imapct
The homestays with less than ₹20-lakh revenue did not come under the purview of GST and its impact on occupancy would be known only after the peak tourist season is over, Mr. Soman added.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran will inaugurate the meet on September 15 and K.V. Thomas, MP, will preside over the function.
