360 domestic buyers and 40 international buyers have registered for the conclave: KTM
In collaboration with the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society, the Kerala Tourism Department will host India’s inaugural Wedding and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) Conclave in Kochi from August 14 to 16.
In a press statement, KTM says that Kerala Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas declared that the event will function as a B2B networking platform to support the integrated development of the tourism sector in the state. He addressed a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday.
It adds that the event will bring together buyers and sellers in the wedding and MICE tourism sectors. As of now, 360 domestic buyers and 40 international buyers have registered for the conclave, along with 65 sellers from related sectors.
The statement says that the opening session of the conclave will take place at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty Island, Kochi, on August 14 at 17:00 . Additionally, business meetings and exhibitions will be held at Le Meridien on August 15 and 16.
KTM says that according to Riyas, the department has been promoting Kerala for destination weddings and MICE tourism through marketing campaigns.
Mohammed Riyas
“Our efforts saw success as an estimated 1,000 destination weddings were conducted in various tourist locations across Kerala in the last year alone. When we examine the post Covid era, the graph of tourist inflow in the state is higher than global and national average,” says Riyas.
The state’s travel agency says that the tourist arrivals in Kerala in the post-pandemic period have shown a growth rate higher than global and national averages. It added that natural landscapes, cultural heritage, infrastructure and connectivity position Kerala as a location for wedding and MICE tourism.
KTM says that the department would also focus on strengthening homestays, government rest houses and tourism guest houses to support the sector. Additionally, the minister noted that the collaboration between KTM, the tourism department and private stakeholders was designed to provide a smooth experience for visitors.
The Minister added that tourism growth supports broader social and economic development in the state.
“From auto drivers to resort owners, everyone involved will have the opportunity to prosper,” adds Riyas.
As per statement, the conclave follows an announcement made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during KTM last year, where he outlined plans to establish Kerala as a key destination for wedding and honeymoon tourism.
“The conference will bring together organisers of weddings, corporate conferences, operators of large convention centres and tourism and hospitality service providers under a single umbrella, for a calibrated promotion of the segment,” says Jose Pradeep, President, KTM.
KTM says that the event would include training camps, marketing sessions, logistical planning and technology integration in partnership with large MICE and wedding companies and local supply chains.
The travel mart company says that the exhibition will be held on the sidelines, where MICE and wedding service providers such as wedding planners, luxury resorts, venue operators, floral designers, photographers, caterers and bridal service companies will showcase their services.
According to the statement, registered buyers will also be taken on site visits to locations across the state, including Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal. Additionally, wedding tourism sites such as beaches, backwaters and hills, as well as elements of local culture and cuisine, will be part of the showcase.
KTM says that business meetings will run from 09:30 to 17:30 on August 15 and 16, where expert-led workshops and exhibitions will also be held during the conclave.