Tourism buyer-seller conclave has promotion of local tourism high on agenda
The Kerala Travel Mart will formulate measures to accord priority to local tourism
Taking into account the massive interest by local tourists on travelling to the state, the prestigious Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) scheduled to get underway next month, will line up major attractions for them who are looking to go around the state. The KTM is the country’s largest tourism buyer-seller conclave.
The move comes in the wake of KTM Society noticing that Kerala’s high-quality tourism products are benefiting local travellers more than those visiting the state from outside. The May 5-8 KTM will thereby look at formulating a policy based on decisions that can promote local tourism.
Local tourists will be accorded importance on par with visitors from outside of the state and country, according to KTM Society President Baby Mathew. Tourists within Kerala have the financial capacity to make use of all levels of travel packages. We see increased scope for weekend tourism, he added.
Local travel can boost regional tourism
With the new generation enthusiastic about adventure tourism, and that the youngsters working in the IT sector showing immense interest in travel, the KTM Society thinks that such a situation could offer huge prospects for the growth of tourism.
KTM Society Founder President Jose Dominic believes that local travel can boost regional tourism, boosting the income of cab and auto-rickshaw drivers besides those running small-time businesses.
Kerala Travel Mart to kick off on May 5
KTM will get underway in Kochi on May 5. Business meets have been planned, with several attractive schemes and packages to factored in so as to provide a fillip to local tourism. The public will have access to the pavilions on the concluding day of May 8. Lined up as a green-compliant conclave will host more than 2,000 delegates, including buyers, sellers and policymakers from within the country and abroad.
KTM’s previous edition was held virtually in March 2021. Notwithstanding a worldwide gloom cast by Covid-19, the event turned out to be a major success, demonstrating tourism’s leadership role in tiding over the pandemic-induced recession.
