Record-breaking Kerala Travel Mart concludes
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The eighth edition of Kerala Travel Mart concluded recently, having broken a series of attendance records.
The three-day event at the Samudrika Convention Centre, Willingdon Island, hosted a total of 861 domestic and 241 international buyers. These inbound attendees took part in a total of 30,000 appointments with local exhibitors, who showcased a range of Kerala tourism products.
In total, 45 countries were represented at the event. And while the UK, Germany, France, Malaysia and USA topped the list, newer markets like Singapore, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic and Brazil also sent buyers to this year.
A series of forums and seminars was also held at the Kerala Travel Mart. One of these saw Suman Billa, secretary of Kerala Tourism, lead a seminar entitled ‘Kerala Tourism: Way Ahead’. This outlined the need to draft a road-map for the development of community-based tourism in the state, including the promotion of local artists, artisans and agricultural communities.
Other discussions also outlined the potential of the ‘Spice Route’ project, which is currently being developed across 31 countries. The Kerala Tourism booth on the main show floor also showcased the heritage sites that will be promoted along the Spice Route.
The Mart also focused on key sectors, such as weddings and wellness, as well as new industries such as cruise tourism, which hold strong growth potential in future.
And following the event, buyers were taken to explore the state on a series of fam trips.
The next Kerala Travel Mart will convene in 2016.
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