KOCHI:
The Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2018, to be held in September this year, has started on an enthusiastic note with nearly 600 registrations being made in just four days after the pre-registration got underway for India’s flagship tourism event.
From the domestic buyers alone, the KTM received 485 applications and 105 registrations from the international buyers. July 28 is the closing date for the registration.
Baby Mathew, President of the Kerala Travel Mart Society, said the huge initial response from the buyers is a clear indication of a larger number of tourism stakeholders getting attracted to the stellar tourism gathering over the years.
“No doubt, nearly 600 applications in four days is very encouraging. We are expecting a record number of registrations for this year’s edition,” he added. Mathew said business-to-business meets offered by the KTM contribute to a great deal in attracting potential buyers.
Acclaimed as the largest gathering of tourism industry stakeholders in India, the KTM 2018 will be inaugurated in Kochi on September 27, coinciding with the World Tourism Day. The opening ceremony will be followed by three days of business- to- business meetings.
Offering a wide array of opportunities, the meet will be a perfect conduit for buyers and sellers to expand their business territories.
The KTM Society has started implementing a comprehensive nine-point charter, ‘Agenda 9,’ which focuses on making Kerala a sustainable destination. It mainly calls for measures to tackle waste management, promote organic farming, efficient use of energy and extensive use of local produce and products.
Other key areas which will come up for deliberations are rainwater harvesting, reducing the use of plastics, and improving greenery.
