The three-day Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), India's largest tourism buyer-seller meet, being held here from September 18, will be promoting the state as a wedding destination.
The mart, which will be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on September 17, is being organised at Cochin Port Trust's convention centre at nearby Wellington Island.
The mart will boost the image of Kerala as a wedding destination, Abraham George, President of KTM Society, told reporters.
There has been an overwhelming response to the mart with participation from 282 international and 938 domestic buyers. Each buyer has to meet mandated sellers during the 3 day event.
Asked if the liquor ban would affect tourism, he said the government would safeguard and protect their interests.
Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony said the port will be charging only moderately for the space being given for conducting the mart.
Last year, 34 foreign cruise vessels had called on the port and in the next fiscal eight ships, including a 4,000 passenger capacity vessel, would be making their maiden trips to Kochi, he added.
Argentina, Australia, Scandinavia and Brazil are some of the new markets being explored at the mart. The UK, Spain, Germany, France and Russia top the list of international buyers, around 25-30 from each country.
Buyers from new markets like Australia, South Africa and Malaysia are expected as also a strong presence from Scandinavia, Netherlands, Middle-East and Latin America.
Hotels and resorts, tour operators, home-stays, houseboat operators, ayurveda resorts, ayurveda centres, hotel management consultants form the major chunk of exhibitors, along with other service providers like adventure tour operators, amusement parks, convention centres, private museums and speciality hospitals.
Seminars will also be held on subjects such as Responsible Tourism; Kerala - the way ahead; Muziris and Tourism.
Buyers will also be taken to different destinations for a true feel of the state.
