Business EconomyPosted at: Jun 26 2024 9:35PM


Buyer registrations at KTM-2024 cr record 2,500

Kochi, June 26 (UNI) Buyer registrations for the upcoming Kerala Travel Mart (KTM-2024) crossed the 2,500-mark for the first time in the history of Asia’s largest tourism event, almost doubling the highest-ever total of 1,305 in 2018.
In a testament to the growing popularity of the biennial flagship event that has marched into its 12th edition, registrations by domestic buyers alone stand at 1,800, while the foreign buyers total 708. The number in both categories is expected to rise, as registrations are on till July 31. The number of sellers currently stands at 334.
KTM-2024, starting here on September 26, will be held at the Sagara-Samudrika Convention Centre in Willingdon Island. The business sessions will be on the last three days. Public can visit the expo on September 29.
Of the foreign buyers from 73 countries, 58 are from the UK, 54 from the Gulf and 48 from the US. While the buyers from Russia total 30, those from the rest of Europe total 216. East Asian buyers stand at 100, while those from Africa are 41.
As for domestic buyers, Maharashtra (521) tops the list, followed by Gujarat (238).
The four-day event, with the stalls under eight segments, will showcase Kerala’s strength in tourism before a global audience, said Mr Jose Pradeep, President of KTM Society, which is organizing the event with support from other agencies of the state as well as industry. “KTM-2024, which has been assisted by the state Tourism Department, is receiving excellent support from Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas,” he added.
The entire event is being considered as a “total digital revolution”, according to KTM Society Secretary S. Swaminathan, “We have come up with a software that ensures the smooth conduct of B2B meetings,” he revealed. “Also, for the first time, there will be a KTM app. We will be strictly complying with the green protocol.”
The event’s inaugural ceremony will be followed by three days of sessions at the Sagara and Samudrika convention centres in Willingdon Island on September 27, 28 and 29. The run-up to KTM-2024 will see a pre-mart tour from September 22 to 26, involving media persons, vloggers and influencers. There will also be a five-day post-mart tour across Kerala from September 30 for select buyers of KTM-2024.
The 12th KTM will also accord special focus to Kerala as a wedding destination. Authorities see an overexposure of tourist spots outside of the state as an opportunity to woo travellers to Kerala. Its abundant beaches, backwaters, forests, tea gardens and lush greenery make God’s Own Country an ideal tourist destination. The state also is reputed for cultural and culinary richness besides strong infrastructure and transportation facilities.
Besides its emphasis on promoting Responsible Tourism, the event will also strive to boost MICE (meetings, industries, conferences and exhibitions) tourism. In addition to hosting large events in metros such as Kochi, leisure destinations are also equipped to host a variety of MICE events. The G20 working group’s meet at the scenic Kumarakom (near Kottayam) and Kovalam (south of Thiruvananthapuram) in March-April last year was an example of the state’s USP in this segment.
Cruise tourism is another area where the 12th edition of KTM is giving focus. Authorities are optimistic about roping in potential buyers from this segment as well.
The 11th KTM in 2022 facilitated more than 55,000 business interactions in its three days. The buyers totalled 1,134 (234 of them from abroad), while seller stalls totalled 302.
UNI DS AKS
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