Kochi, May 6 (Agency) Earnest activities among States are vital for Kerala’s steady progress of tourism as a vital sector of the economy, especially amid the ongoing post-Covid-19 recovery efforts, State Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said on Thursday. “A meaningful engagement among the Indian states is very important for sustainable and inclusive development of tourism. This is the right time to further strengthen the cooperation and coordination among the states in the tourism sector for the benefit of everyone,” he said while inaugurating the 11th edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) which is the country’s biggest tourism event. Noting that a prolonged restriction on international flights owing to the global pandemic had nourished Kerala with domestic tourism, the Governor said Kerala needs to retain its warm ties with other states of the country for the travel industry to flourish further. At Grand Hyatt in Bolgatty, the Governor noted that tourism, apart from being an economic activity, is a cultural experience that transcends borders. “Being conscious of the need for a robust partnership in reviving tourism, Kerala has ensured healthy government-industry collaboration in tourism. In fact, the state has set a successful model on how a rewarding partnership between the administration and the travel and hospitality industry could lead to a win-win situation,” he said at the ceremony where prominent industrialist MA Yusuff Ali was the guest of honour.
Ahead of the event that is set to host no less than 55,000 business meets on May 6 and 7 and 8, Kerala Tourism presented a curtain-raiser to the second edition of its IPL-modelled Champions Boat League water-race extravaganza from post-monsoon Onam festival this year. Khan hailed the government for preserving the state’s “invaluable legacy of natural beauty” even while coming out with a set of new products and projects to meet the demands of a post-COVID world. With Kerala’s “magical mix” of natural beauty, fascinating history and well-preserved heritage, the government has, of late, launched farm tourism, caravans and adventure packages besides cultural destinations. Kerala’s “noticeably rural character” ensures that its every little village has a pleasant surprise, the Governor said. In this context, Khan highlighted the government’s recent efforts to boost the travel industry in lesser-tapped north Kerala such as Malabar River Cruise Project and the Beypore Water Fest. Kerala’s globally-acclaimed Responsible Tourism guarantees active role to local communities and self-government institutions. The state is also ensuring that the Ayurveda-reliant institutions are run professionally, thus keeping up the reputation of Kerala as a wellness destination, he added.
If houseboat tourism had attracted worldwide attention for Kerala a couple of decades ago, caravan tourism is the state’s latest package. On this, the government has announced a policy that facilitates customised overall experience for the traveller. “Kerala is eminently qualified to become the premium experiential tourism hub of India,” the Governor told the opening session of largely-attended KTM-2022 that will be a paper-less event in 1.5 lakh square-feet space. Yusuff Ali called for more investments in infrastructure development and capacity building in the context of increasing demand created by new trends in post-pandemic tourism. “Shopping and conventions have the potential to attract more tourists,” he noted. “KTM-2022 gives the world the message that Kerala is back on its feet in tourism after the pandemic.” The subsequent proceedings of KTM from Friday will be held at Sagara and Samudrika convention centres in Willingdon Island. On the last day (May 8), the public will get access to the pavilions in both venues for five hours from 1 pm. Dr Venu V., Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, said KTM-2022 demonstrates the resilience of the people of Kerala, ending two years of slump in the sector. “This event is set to become a turning point, heralding a surge in the state’s revival of tourism,” he added. Tourism Principal Secretary KS Srinivas said KTM-2022 gifts the state a “great opportunity” to strengthen tourism that has been in the doldrums for the past two years owing to COVID-19.
Kerala Tourism Director V.R. Krishna Teja made a presentation on the newest trends and products that the government offers to the visitors. KTM Society President Baby Mathew said the meet will have around 1,500 buyers, 300 of them international. Other speakers included Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Chairman P.K. Sasi, Managing Director V. Vigneshwari; Regional Director, India Tourism, Mohammed Farooq. KTM Past Presidents Abraham George, E.M. Najeeb, Riaz Ahmed were present. KTM Society Secretary Jose Pradeep proposed the vote of thanks. KTM 2022, which began with a culturally! show, aims to showcase the state’s strength in tourism sector before a global audience, will host seminars on various topics led by officials, experts and stakeholders. Exhibitions on key tourism themes will be a major attraction of the mart being organised as a public-private partnership. Caravan and adventure tourism are some of the key attractions of KTM-2022, which will have delegates from 69 countries, besides buyers from 25 states within the country. The 2000-constituted KTM Society, which is the country’s biggest organisation in the travel and tourism segment, has been working towards reviving the industry since the spread of the novel coronavirus two years ago.