The Eleventh Edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM 2022) – a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of Department of Tourism Govt. of Kerala and Kerala Tourism Mart Society kicked off at an inaugural ceremony held at The Grand Hyatt Kochi.
Approximately 55,000 pre-scheduled B2B business meets are expected to be held from May 6th – 8th at Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres in Willingdon Island. Members of the public will get access to the pavilions at the two venues for five hours in second half of May 8th.
Baby Mathew, President, KTM Society informed that 320 sellers from Kerala will interact with 300 international buyers from 69 countries and 1200 domestic buyers from across the country. Caravan and Adventure tourism are some of the key attractions of KTM 2022.
While virtually inaugurating the KTM 2022 Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammad Khan said that meaningful engagement among different states is crucial for sustainable and inclusive development of tourism.
“Being conscious of the need for a robust partnership in reviving tourism, Kerala has ensured healthy government-industry collaboration in tourism, setting a win-win situation. The State is eminently qualified to become the premium experiential tourism hub of India,” he said.
The Governor hailed the Kerala Government for coming out with a set of new products and projects to meet the demands of post-COVID tourism, including farm tourism, caravans, and adventure packages.
He also lauded initiatives to promote tourism in lesser-tapped north Kerala like Malabar River Cruise project, Beypore Water Fest, and Responsible Tourism ventures.
In his address, Venu V, Additional Chief Secretary, said KTM-2022 demonstrated the resilience of the people of Kerala, ending two years of slump in the sector.
Principal Secretary (Tourism) K S Srinivas said that the much awaited mart will offer a great opportunity to strengthen the tourism industry that was in the doldrums due to the pandemic.
Director of Kerala Tourism V.R. Krishna Teja made a presentation on the latest trends and products of the State.
Industrialist M A Yusuff Ali was the Guest of honour.
