KOCHI: The tourism industry in Kerala expects to generate an additional revenue of `5,000 crore in two years from the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), which is scheduled to be held here from September 27 to 30, said KTM Society President Abraham George.
The KTM is expected to have around 25,000 business meetings, apart from the non-scheduled meetings.
"We expect that 40,000 such meetings would take place during the event. It will provide additional revenue to the tune of `5,000 crore to the State in two years as KTM is the prime tourism event in the State," he added.
The event will witness representation from ten new countries - Mexico, Georgia, Japan, China, Chile, Greece, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Botswana. The total revenue generated from tourism (direct and indirect) was `26,689.63 crore in 2015.
As many as 57 countries, besides 20 Indian states, are scheduled to participate in the ninth edition of the three-day Kerala Travel Mart, which is organised by the KTM Society in association with the Department of Tourism under the Government of Kerala. Besides focusing on its core themes of ‘Responsible Tourism' and 'Muziris and Spice Route,' the KTM-2016 will project Kerala as an ideal breakaway destination for weddings and honeymoons - emerging segments for tourism destinations.
In an attempt to promote the 'Muziris and Spice Route' theme, the UNESCO in association with Kerala Tourism and the Union Tourism Ministry will host a 'Spice Route Culinary Festival' from September 23 to 26, in which leading chefs from 31 member countries on the historic Spice Route will participate. The event is being organised as a prelude to the KTM.
"The Chief Minister has promised that steps would be taken to ensure sustainability and development of the tourism sector. It would be good if any announcement in this regard comes ahead of the KTM, as we could showcase it before the global audience. As of now, 560 international delegates have registered. Including domestic participants, we expect a total of about 2,000 delegates," added Abraham.