One of India’s leading travel shows, Kerala Tourism Mart (KTM) will now take place on new dates this year. The organisers of KTM 2022 shared that considering the current situation of the Covid-19 in India and internationally, it was decided to postpone the much-awaited event.
KTM 2022 was earlier scheduled to take place between March 24th to 27th. The event will now take place from May 5th to 8th at Samudrika Convention Center in Kochi.
Announcing the new dates of the event at a virtual press meet on Tuesday (February 1), Dr. V. Venu, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism), Kerala said, “KTM has grown across its previous 10 editions. It is a one-of-its-kind tourism mart of the country. We are very proud that we have played host to tens of thousands of travel partners over the years. We in government view KTM as a sterling example of a public-private partnership. We all know that the pandemic has not yet subsided although there are signs which offer us optimism. Travel restrictions internationally and in India are still in place. We are also mindful of the fact that most airline companies are operating a curtailed service. So, considering all these challenges, KTM society has decided to postpone the event to new dates.”
“We are also mindful of the fact that a lot of trade partners are keen to attend the event. So, the new dates will offer a better opportunity to all these partners to plan their travel for the event. We already have more than 1,100 travel partners who have expressed interest in participating in the event and we want to ensure that every one of them gathers here physically to attend KTM 2022,” added Dr. Venu.
During the last KTM in 2018, the event recorded participation from 400 foreign buyers and 1500 Indian buyers.
“We want a large number of buyers to experience new products and destinations in Kerala. We will be projecting new products like caravan tourism in KTM 2022,” said V R Krishna Teja Mylavarapu, Director, Department of Tourism, Kerala.
Applauding the support of the Kerala government in the success of KTM Society, Baby Mathew, President, KTM Society said that this time the event will offer a range of new products and services to participating buyers from India and overseas.
Abraham George, Immediate. Past President, KTM Society said that what makes the mart stand apart from others is the fact that it allows buyer partners to experience the product and directly interact with exhibitors.
Jose Pradeep, Hon. Secretary, KTM Society shared this time the exhibition area of KTM will cover more than 1 Lakh sq. ft. “Aspects like responsible tourism and caravan tourism will be highlighted this time. It will be a plastic and paper-free travel mart,’ he added. Post-event FAM trips for buyers will be also organised.
A large number of trade partners and other members of the managing committee of Kerala Travel Mart Society marked their presence in the virtual event.