KTM open to public on Sunday afternoon as 4-day meet concludes

Kochi / September 20, 2024

Kochi, Sep. 28: As the 12th edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM-2024) in the city concludes on Sunday, the four-day meet at Willingdon Island will permit entry to the public from 1 pm.

Adding to the attraction of the September 26-29 event at the Sagara-Samudrika Convention Centre is the KTM’s focus on responsible tourism, caravan and VR tourism experience. There are a total of 347 stalls under eight segments, each of them mirroring the wide array of resources and activities associated with the state’s travel and hospitality industry.

Being organized by KTM Society, the 12th edition of the biennial event has been witnessing and disseminating the rapid trends in the tourism industry. The edition has been successful in catering to the changed tastes of new-age tourists, mostly youngsters.

Inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, KTM-2024 showcased the state’s strength in the tourism sector before an international audience, while also heralding its resurgence after the Wayanad tragedy of end-July.

KTM 2024 features the highest-ever total of 2,839 buyers (vis-à-vis the standing record of 1,305 in 2018). Of them, those in the domestic category add up to 2,035. Of the 808 foreign buyers from 76 countries at KTM 2024, 67 are from the UK, 60 from the Gulf and 55 from the US. While the buyers from Russia total 34, those from the rest of Europe total 245. There are 41 buyers from Africa, while the others are from East Asia. As for domestic buyers, Maharashtra (578) tops the list, followed by Delhi (340) and Gujarat (263).

The 12th KTM accords special focus to Kerala as a wedding destination. Cruise tourism is another area of focus.

ENDS