Homestays emerge as a key tourism product at KTM 2026

Kochi / September 25, 2026

Kochi, Sept 25: Keralam’s homestay sector has positioned itself as a key experiential tourism product at the ongoing Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026, with domestic and international buyers exploring community-led properties that offer visitors a closer connection with local culture, cuisine and everyday life.

Over the years, KTM has become the go-to B2B platform for the tourism industry to come together and build business partnerships. The growing buyer interest comes as Keralam seeks to expand its tourism proposition beyond conventional accommodation and sightseeing, with homestays offering an opportunity to package lived experiences of local communities, turning destinations into more immersive experiences.

With buyers looking beyond conventional hotels and resorts, homestays have become part of the tourism experiences being featured at KTM. Their appeal lies in the opportunity to experience Keralam in a more personal setting, while offering operators a platform to reach domestic and international travel trade.

“This year, the response from both domestic and international buyers has been very encouraging. The participation reflects the growing interest in Keralam and the wide range of tourism products the State has to offer. Our focus is to create meaningful business opportunities for sellers while introducing buyers to new destinations and experiences in Keralam,” said KTM President Shri Jose Pradeep.

Keralam currently has around 1,800 standardised homestays, with 48 community-driven properties, many of which are being showcased at KTM 2026, according to the Homestay Association.

“These properties give visitors an opportunity to stay with local communities and experience their way of life,” said Shri Raphael Hermin, IT Convener and State Tourism Projects,(Coordinator) Kerala homestay and tourism society ( Kerala HATS ).

The association has prepared brochures and a directory, helping buyers identify properties and experiences suited to different segments. According to Shri Hermin, the response at KTM has been encouraging, with several visitors returning to seek more information.

The sector is also seeking to simplify the booking and product-discovery process by offering customised packages and facilitating direct connections between guests and homestay operators, without intermediaries.

For Keralam’s tourism vertical, the push reflects a broader shift towards experience-led travel, with homestays increasingly being positioned not merely as alternative accommodation but as gateways to local communities, food, traditions and destinations.

For many buyers attending KTM, homestays have added a different dimension to Kerala’s tourism offerings. The segment is also gaining attention among younger travellers and technology professionals looking for more personalised and local travel experiences.

Ms Amita Kanvinde of Am’s Holidays, which has offices in Hyderabad and Mumbai, said KTM has helped her discover new properties and experiences in Keralam. “There are hotels which I know beforehand, but there are some new hotels which I get to know. There are some new places and experiences which I get exposed to. It is something very new. Every year, Keralam is giving something new to us to offer to our clients,” she said.

Shri Ravi Kalia of Delhi-based Travel Inn, which specialises in nature and wildlife tourism and sends clients from the UK and the US to Keralam, said KTM brought together a wide range of tourism products under one roof.

“If one wanted to know Keralam, he or she has to come to KTM. You can meet so many people here. The arrangements are very good and it is easy to maintain your meetings. The directions from one meeting to another are also easy, with no chaos,” he said.

International buyers have also shown interest in Kerala’s homestay accommodation and local tourism experiences. Ms Abike Odunaiya, owner of Abikey Travels in Lagos, Nigeria, said KTM was her first experience of both Kerala and India.

“I have attended exhibitions around the world, but this stands out. The few meetings I have had have been great, and I am loving it. Hopefully, there will be more meetings, more business and more partnerships,” she said.

Homestay operators, meanwhile, said KTM provided an important platform to showcase their properties and connect directly with the tourism trade.

Shri Jaimon, who runs a homestay near Varappuzha, said the response at KTM has been encouraging. “We receive great support from the Tourism Department. The homestay certification and other procedures were completed without delays this time. The renewal process for our resort through the portal was also very quick, with the certificates ready within three to four days,” he said.

He said greater financial support for tourism stakeholders will further help the sector. “The government’s support is good, especially in marketing Keralam. Because of such events and initiatives, everything is going very well. This is my second time at KTM, and we are receiving a great response,” he said.

Its representative said government recognition and proper classification of homestays remained important for the sector, adding that the properties operating without the necessary approvals, creating challenges for registered establishments that maintain guest records and comply with regulatory requirements.

Ends

 

Photo Gallery

+

Content

+

Content