Kerala Tourism getting ready for KTM 2008

Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2008 will be held from September 20-23, 2008 at Kochi. This is the fifth Travel Mart that is taking place in the series in Kerala. The first KTM was held in September 2000. KTM is a perfect example of the synergy between the public and private sector, joining hands for the promotion of tourism in the state.

KTM today is the largest gathering that has been designed, planned and scheduled to facilitate meetings involving buyers, sellers, media, government Agencies and other relevant stakeholders. Besides seminars, pre/post Mart FAM tours and cultural evenings, the Mart provides the participants with a first hand experience of the destination - Kerala.

The registration for those participating as buyers began on January 23, 2008. According to the KTM release, so far 170 Indian and 65 international buyers have registered to attend the Mart. Participants from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the Mart, with large contingents from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the USA. On the domestic front, a good number of delegates will be participating, especially from states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and UP.

The Kerala Travel Mart Society with the support of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, organises the event. The Kerala Travel Mart Society is a permanent institution, constituted and registered as a society under the Travancore - Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1995. A managing committee consisting of a president, hon. secretary, hon. treasurer and 18 committee members, governs it. The society members numbering 316, comprises of airlines, ayurveda centres, event managers (tourism), home stays, hotels, houseboats, specialty hospitals, tour operators, those specialised in promoting adventure, eco, farm and monsoon tours, wedding & honeymoon tours, tourism journals, travel agents and other service providers.

Airlines like Air India, Sri Lankan Airlines and others along with leading hotels in Kerala will be sponsoring the event, the release mentioned.