KTM to Organize First Wedding and MICE Conclave

KOCHI:
Kerala will host a pioneering conclave this monsoon to boost efforts towards transforming the state into the country’s top-most destination for wedding and MICE tourism, as stakeholders feel an increasing necessity to update regional travel and tourism with the global trends in the sector.

The ‘Wedding and MICE Conclave’ in this city during August 14-16, being organized by Kerala Travel Mart Society in association with the state government, seeks to fully utilize the potential of marriages as well as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) as catalysts to tourism in the state.

To be inaugurated at Grand Hyatt in Bolgatty Island at 5 p.m. on the eve of Independence Day, the milestone event will feature business meetings and seminars at Le Meridien in suburban Kundannur on the next two days—from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had, at the KTM-2024 last year, highlighted the potential of Kerala to become the hub of the country in the field of wedding and honeymoon tourism. Taking cue from it, the upcoming conclave has been conceived amid consistent calls to strengthen Kerala’s strides amid the state’s impressive competition with foreign countries in the tourism sector, points out Tourism and PWD Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.

The points raised at his inaugural speech at the 12th KTM in end-September triggered a string of discussions by the administration, leading to the idea of holding an international conference in this sector. Officials emphasised the need to closely monitor the changes in the international arena to enable the state prepare its future in tourism accordingly.

KTM will be an “excellent technological infrastructure” functioning as an asset to the conference, adds Minister Riyas.

Prime among the main objectives of the conclave is to transform Kerala into a major hub of wedding and MICE tourism, according to Kerala Tourism Secretary K. Biju. He pointed out that the state can use its best infrastructure facilities in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal for MICE conferences. It can host wedding tourism with beaches, backwaters and hills as locations. The conference can generate greater awareness about the state’s cultural heritage, ancient architecture and delicious cuisine.

Those working in the field of planning weddings, corporate conferences, large convention centres and tour operations will be brought under one umbrella. Through them, Kerala will be promoted in the MICE-Wedding sector.

Training workshops, innovative marketing strategies logistics, and technology deployment will be organized in collaboration with large MICE and wedding companies, notes Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran.

Buyers attending the conference will be able to visit the MICE-Wedding destinations offered by Kerala. The visits will be organized in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal.

Special promotion will be given to Kerala’s best beaches, heritage buildings and backwater resorts. Wedding packages and honeymoon packages will also be introduced.

Apart from the state’s art-forms of classical and folk genres, the conference will also showcase regional delicacies. B2B meetings will be an attraction for tour operators, wedding planners and the hospitality industry to interact directly, says KTM Society President Jose Pradeep. The event will also feature traditional and classical art-forms such as Kathakali dance and Carnatic concerts, besides a range of the region’s cuisine.

One main attraction is the exhibition in the wedding-MICE tourism sector. Hotels, resorts, conference venues, conference organizers and technical workers will exhibit in the MICE sector. Wedding organizers, luxury resorts, destination wedding venues, floral arrangements, photography, catering and bridal services will get an opportunity to exhibit in the wedding sector, reveals KTM Society Secretary S. Swaminathan.

In addition to business meetings from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., the conclave will host seminars with the participation of international experts in this field.