We are just back from the largest buyer-seller travel mart in India—the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2024. This vibrant event transformed Kochi into a bustling hub, adorned with big hoardings and banners that captivated both locals and visitors alike. For three days, the city became the focal point for professionals in the travel and hospitality industry, bringing together a diverse group of participants. It was also a curtain raiser on the popular as well as offbeat travel experiences and new destinations in Kerala.
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Kerala Travel Mart
Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) is the biggest tourism event in India. The Kerala Travel Society organizes this gathering in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. It is a B2B (business-to-business) event in Kochi that brings together over 400 foreign tour operators from around the world and more than 1,000 tour operators from India. Buyers and sellers can connect at their stalls, and they also have the option to meet one-on-one. We were stunned with the plethora of activities during the earlier KTM we attended in the year 2022.
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Key Highlights of KTM 2024
The recently concluded 2024 edition of the KTM attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including hotels, houseboat owners, Ayurveda tourism operators, wedding and honeymoon destination representatives, and media personnel from across India and abroad. The elaborate event provided a remarkable platform for networking, showcasing unique offerings, and engaging directly with B2B clients. What set KTM apart was its exclusive focus on Kerala—India’s super brand renowned for its lush landscapes, rich culture, and unparalleled tourism experiences.
KTM 2024 Inauguration
KTM 2024 was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Pinarayi Vijayan amidst a flurry of excitement, featuring cultural performances highlighting the region’s heritage – folk dances, Theyyam, and the most popular classical dance- Kathakali. The event offered a plethora of opportunities, including seminars, networking events, and delightful dinners that fostered connections and collaborations. The events were followed by dinners serving the widest range of Kerala cuisine with our favourite items like Thalassery Biryani, Meen Moilee, fish fry, and Payesam. Pre-event marts for media professionals and post-event tours for travel agents showcased the breathtaking locations and experiences that Kerala has to offer.
Venue for Kerala Travel Mart
Taking place from September 27th to 29th, 2024, KTM 2024 was a remarkable experience for all involved. The venue Samudrika Convention Centre was located on Willingdon Island, Kochi. The gates, signs, banners, and decorations throughout Cochin and Willingdon Island in Kochi showed us how important the travel mart was. The lush green landscape of the island surrounded by the backwaters, it was the most picturesque setting for a travel event.
Once we entered the exhibition hall, we were impressed. This was a chance to learn more about Kerala. KTM covered topics like where to travel in Kerala, why to visit, tourist spots nearby, and even cultural retreats. Many questions like these were answered at the event. Buyers, sellers, and journalists from Kerala, India, and all around the world were eager to take advantage of this opportunity.
Pre-Mart Tour to North Kerala
We were fortunate to have participated in the 5-day pre-mart tour that took us from the loom land of Kerala – Kannur to the beautiful Wayanad – all ready for welcoming back tourists. This tour introduced us to the amazing travel experiences the verdant North Kerala had to offer by way of nature, art, culture, food, adventure, and more. We are still a bit stunned by all the beautiful sights we saw.
We also feel privileged to have attended this incredible event and look forward to many more travel gatherings in the future. With its focus on collaboration and innovation, Kerala Travel Mart 2024 has undoubtedly set the stage for the continued growth of the travel industry in this stunning region.
Kerala Travel Mart: A Networking Opportunity
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The flight from Delhi to Kerala takes about 3 hours. After nearly 10 days, we return to Delhi with many cards, brochures, and unforgettable experiences. Our main takeaway from Kerala Travel Mart is that we want to return to explore and share more of God’s Own Country.
Stay tuned for more insights and updates from our travels!
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