Tourism News

A biennial buyer-seller meet, which showcases the best from Kerala, the Kerala Travel Mart is passing on to its fifth edition. Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2008 is all set to be held from September 21 to 23 at the Le Meridien International Convention Centre, Kochi.

KTM is a Buyer – Seller Meet where a Buyer is termed as one who is either a Tour Operator, Travel Agent, Airline, Event Manager, Travel Writer, Media personnel or any one who has the potential to buy any of the services that the Tourism Industry in Kerala has to offer. This Buyer will be registered after his / her company profile is discussed and approved by the Buyers Committee. The event enables buyers to get exposed to the diverse tourism products of the state. The face-to-face interaction with sellers and entrepreneurs ensures maximum transparency. Only members of the KTM Society are eligible to become a Seller at the Mart. Membership is open to all the Tourism related services in Kerala.

KTM 2008 expects about 300 International Buyers from around 50 countries and 400 Domestic Buyers from all the other States in India. 176 International and 399 Domestic delegates have already registered for the event. This time, the entire event area will be air-conditioned. There will be 70 tables, 175 modules and 16 houseboat parking bays. 19 tables, 150 modules and all the houseboat parking bays have been booked. At KTM 2008, a new facility is being provided for the buyer and the seller to fix appointments with each other. This system is available from 10 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. on all the days of the event and each appointment has a duration of 15 minutes.

KTM is the only tourism event in India that is organized by the Tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs, supported by the Government. The Event is managed by Kerala Travel Mart Society, headed by Mr E. M. Najeeb. There is a wide range of sellers who introduce their products and services, with airlines, resorts, adventure tourism, medical tourism, heritage tourism and wedding and honeymoon holidays among others.

Dr. Venu, V., Secretary, Kerala Tourism, has expressed his hope that successive editions of KTM will add new dimensions to the already established Kerala Brand. It will be a boost to the tourist potentials of the state as well, he said.

The registration of buyers, which started in January and will be open till 31 st July 2008.