Kerala Travel Mart 2014, the eighth edition of the state’s flagship tourism trade fair, was held from September 18 to 20 at Samudrika Convention Centre, Kochi. The event recorded its highest participation to date, with over 1,300 international and domestic buyers from nearly 60 countries, and around 265 exhibitors from Kerala’s tourism sector. KTM 2014 placed a strong spotlight on backwater tourism, Ayurveda, and new eco- and adventure tourism opportunities in the state’s hill stations and forested regions. This edition also saw a rise in participation from South East Asian, Scandinavian, and Eastern European markets, reflecting Kerala’s growing global tourism appeal.
A key focus area for KTM 2014 was the promotion of “Accessible Tourism”, encouraging travel infrastructure and services that cater to people with disabilities, senior citizens, and other underserved groups. It also furthered the discourse on Responsible Tourism, featuring success stories from local communities that had benefitted economically and socially from tourism partnerships. With enhanced digital matchmaking tools and organized buyer-seller interactions, KTM 2014 strengthened Kerala’s position as a model for sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality destination marketing in the Indian tourism landscape.
