Kerala is gearing up to host the 13th Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), India's largest tourism and hospitality trade event, from September 24 to 27, 2026, bringing together tourism professionals, buyers, media, and industry leaders from around the world.
The event will officially open on September 24 at the Grand Hyatt Convention Centre in Bolgatty, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan leading the inauguration. Business meetings and networking sessions will take place from September 25 to 27 at the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres on Willingdon Island.
During the announcement, Tourism and Culture Minister P.C. Vishnunadh highlighted KTM's growing importance in strengthening Kerala's position as a leading global tourism destination. He also shared that the state government is working toward granting industry status to Kerala's tourism sector while continuing to promote the state's signature experiences, including Ayurveda and wellness tourism, rich cultural heritage, traditional arts, and world-renowned cuisine.
The upcoming edition has already generated significant international interest, recording an all-time high of 2,360 buyer registrations, including 610 international buyers and 1,750 domestic buyers, months before the event opens. It has also attracted 117 media registrations, with 60 international and 57 domestic media outlets confirmed to attend. The strong turnout reflects Kerala's increasing appeal among global travel professionals and tourism businesses.
According to Tourism Secretary K. Biju, KTM has the potential to grow into a truly global tourism trade fair, creating new opportunities for Indian tour operators and travel enterprises to connect with international markets. Tourism Director M. Anjana added that the event will also serve as an important platform for industry stakeholders to discover emerging travel trends and build new partnerships.
Recognized as India's premier tourism trade exhibition, Kerala Travel Mart continues to play a key role in showcasing the state's diverse tourism offerings while connecting Kerala with buyers and travel professionals from across the globe.
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