Tourism News
Destination Kerala invades Sweden and Russia
In Moscow
Kerala Tourism made its inaugural entry at the Moscow International
Travel and Tourism (MITT) exhibition, which took place from 18 to 21 March 2009
at the Russian capital Moscow.
According to Secretary, Kerala Tourism, Dr. Venu V., ?We need to have
an active presence in markets that are showing strong potential. The global
tourism sector is extremely competitive and MITT provided another platform to
talk to a new market. We know that 2009 is going to be a tough year for our
sector, hence it is vital that we continue to build relationships with our customers
and develop new ones to ensure that Kerala is at the top of their minds once
confidence returns.?
Three of Kerala?s leading hoteliers ? Thomas Holidays & Resorts, Kadavu Resorts
and Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort provided the extra impetus to promote
the strengths of the destination. Several tour operators like Intravel, IHPL,
Intourcentre, India Tour and Transaero Tour showed interest in including Kerala
in their product mix.
In Sweden
Another new trade show that Kerala Tourism attended was TUR in
Sweden, which was held from 19 to 22 March 2009 in the city of Goteborg. Swedish
interest in ayurveda and beach holidays was also apparent at the Kerala Stand
at TUR, the largest Scandinavian trade fair for travel and tourism.
Trade partners from Kerala viz. CGH Earth, Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort
and Pioneer Personalised Holidays participated at the fair. For Kerala Tourism,
TUR was a real eye opener to the Scandinavian market in general and Kerala?s
potential in the Swedish outbound tourist market in particular.
Despite the current economic crisis, 20,000 visitors passed through the doors
during the trade days during TUR and 33,000 visited during the weekend when
the fair was open to the public, indicating that Swedish interest in travelling
remains high. More than 1,900 companies from 103 countries and regions attended
the trade fair.
