KTM 2026: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to Inaugurate India’s Biggest Tourism Trade Event on September 24
Kochi: Kerala is gearing up to host the 13th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart) KTM 2026, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan set to inaugurate the prestigious tourism trade event on September 24 at the Grand Hyatt Convention Centre, Bolgatty, Kochi. The announcement was made by Kerala’s Minister for Tourism and Culture, P.C. Vishnunadh, during a press conference.
The four-day tourism event is expected to bring together thousands of tourism professionals, buyers, exhibitors, and media representatives from across India and around the world, further strengthening Kerala’s position as one of the world’s leading travel destinations.
KTM 2026 Marks First Major Tourism Event Under New Government
KTM 2026 assumes added significance as it will be the first major tourism industry event following the formation of Kerala’s new state government.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on September 24 at the Grand Hyatt Convention Centre, while the core B2B business meetings, networking sessions, and tourism exhibitions will take place from September 25 to 27 at the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres on Willingdon Island, Kochi.
Kerala Government Pushes Industry Status for Tourism Sector
Addressing the media, Tourism and Culture Minister P.C. Vishnunadh said the state government is preparing a framework to implement the budget proposal that grants industry status to Kerala’s tourism sector.
He described Kerala Travel Mart as a strategic platform to enhance Kerala’s global tourism brand, noting that the state competes with leading international destinations rather than other Indian states.
The minister also emphasized the need to reposition Kerala’s globally renowned Ayurveda and wellness tourism offerings to attract high-value international travellers and meet changing global tourism trends.
KTM 2026 Records Highest-Ever Buyer Registrations
Kerala Travel Mart 2026 has already created history by recording its highest-ever buyer registrations, even with nearly three months remaining before the event.
According to the organisers:
- 2,360 total buyer registrations
- 610 international buyers
- 1,750 domestic buyers
- 366 exhibitors
- 117 accredited media representatives
- 25 delegates from sponsors and government departments
The overwhelming response reflects growing global confidence in Kerala as a preferred leisure, wellness, adventure, and business tourism destination.
Business Meetings, Tourism Conferences and Knowledge Sessions
KTM 2026 will feature an extensive programme of:
- Structured B2B meetings
- Tourism investment discussions
- Policy dialogues
- Knowledge-sharing sessions
- Expert presentations by national and international tourism leaders
The event aims to create new business opportunities while promoting partnerships between Kerala’s tourism industry and global travel markets.
Familiarisation Tours Across 12 Tourism Circuits
Following the business sessions, registered buyers will participate in familiarisation (FAM) tours across 12 tourism circuits in Kerala from September 28 to October 3.
These curated tours will showcase Kerala’s diverse tourism experiences, including:
- Backwaters
- Beaches
- Hill stations
- Ayurveda and wellness
- Heritage destinations
- Responsible tourism initiatives
- Adventure tourism
Selected domestic and international journalists will also join specially organised pre-mart media tours.
KTM 2026 Goes Fully Digital
One of the biggest highlights of Kerala Travel Mart 2026 is its transition to a fully digital event management platform.
Organisers have developed dedicated software and a mobile application that will manage registrations, B2B meeting schedules, networking, event updates, and participant engagement, ensuring a seamless digital experience for buyers, sellers, exhibitors, and delegates.
Wedding and MICE Tourism Receive Major Boost
Organisers also highlighted the success of the recently concluded Wedding and MICE Conclave, jointly organised by Kerala Travel Mart and Kerala Tourism.
The conclave resulted in several key initiatives, including:
Proposed Kerala Convention Promotion Bureau
Dedicated Kerala MICE Tourism Policy
Greater focus on international convention and destination wedding markets
These initiatives are expected to position Kerala as a premier destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and luxury weddings.
Kerala Aims to Become a Global Tourism Trade Hub
Tourism Secretary K. Biju said Kerala Travel Mart has the potential to evolve into one of the world’s leading tourism trade fairs by attracting greater international participation in the coming years.
Tourism Director M. Anjana added that KTM 2026 will provide valuable insights into emerging travel trends while creating new business opportunities for stakeholders across the tourism ecosystem.
Meanwhile, KTM office-bearers confirmed that extensive promotional campaigns are underway in both traditional and emerging international markets to attract more overseas buyers and strengthen Kerala’s position as a global tourism destination.
With record registrations, strong government support, international participation, and a fully digital platform, Kerala Travel Mart 2026 is set to become one of India’s largest and most influential tourism trade events, reinforcing Kerala’s reputation as “God’s Own Country” on the global tourism map.