KOCHI: Kerala is set to host a high-profile conclave from August 14 to 16 to position itself as the country’s leading destination for wedding and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism.
Organised by the Kerala Travel Mart Society in association with the state government, the ‘Wedding and MICE Conclave’ will seek to align regional tourism with global trends in the sector.
To be inaugurated at 5 p.m. on August 14 at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty Island, the conclave will feature two days of business meetings and seminars at Le Meridien in Kundannur, from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
The initiative follows remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at KTM-2024 last year, where he emphasised Kerala’s potential as a hub for wedding and honeymoon tourism. Building on this vision, the conclave aims to strengthen Kerala’s presence in the global tourism landscape.
Tourism and PWD Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas said, “The points raised during my inaugural speech at the 12th KTM in September triggered a string of discussions by the administration, leading to the idea of holding an international conference in this sector.” He stressed the need to closely monitor changes in the international tourism sector to help the state prepare for the future.
“KTM will be an excellent technological infrastructure functioning as an asset to the conference,” added Minister Riyas.
Kerala Tourism Secretary K. Biju stated that one of the primary goals of the conclave is to transform the state into a major hub for wedding and MICE tourism.
“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,” he said.
He added that the conference would generate greater awareness about Kerala’s cultural heritage, ancient architecture and cuisine.
Kerala Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran said the conclave would bring together stakeholders from wedding planning, corporate events, large convention centres and tour operations under one umbrella.
“Training workshops, innovative marketing strategies, logistics and technology deployment will be organised in collaboration with large MICE and wedding companies,” she said.
Buyers attending the event will get the opportunity to visit wedding and MICE destinations across Kerala. Familiarisation trips will be organised in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal.
Special promotional focus will be given to the state’s beaches, heritage buildings and backwater resorts. New wedding and honeymoon packages are also expected to be launched.
KTM Society president Jose Pradeep said B2B meetings would be a key attraction for tour operators, wedding planners and the hospitality sector to directly interact. “Apart from the state’s art forms of classical and folk genres, the conference will also showcase regional delicacies,” he said.
An exhibition focused on the wedding and MICE tourism sectors will also be held. “Hotels, resorts, conference venues, organisers and technical workers will exhibit in the MICE sector. Wedding organisers, luxury resorts, destination venues, floral arrangements, photography, catering and bridal services will exhibit in the wedding sector,” said KTM Society secretary S. Swaminathan.