The Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026, scheduled to take place later this year at Willingdon Island in Kochi, is being positioned as a major catalyst to enhance the state’s wedding, wellness and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism sectors. Tourism officials and industry stakeholders say this edition — building on Kerala’s growing reputation as a premium travel destination — will showcase the state’s diverse offerings to both domestic and international buyers and planners.
According to recent updates, the four-day event, running from September 24 to 27, will feature over 400 exhibition stalls and a robust B2B marketplace designed to foster long-term business relationships between tourism service providers and buyers. An investor engagement desk and a dedicated mobile app for scheduling meetings will help streamline interactions and enhance opportunities for trade partnerships.
Kerala’s Tourism Minister has highlighted the state’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and inclusive ethos as unique advantages for positioning Kerala as a destination wedding and wellness hub. With picturesque backwaters, tranquil hill stations and world-renowned Ayurveda retreats, the state is pursuing niche tourism segments that command higher spending per visitor.
Beyond weddings and wellness, the MICE component is gaining traction, with plans to capitalize on Kochi’s emerging infrastructure for conferences and business events. Officials are also exploring the development of a large convention centre to accommodate future high-profile gatherings — a move aimed at boosting Kochi’s competitiveness in the national and global MICE circuit.
Industry voices have also called for more tourism-friendly policies, including relaxed regulations around hospitality services and liberalized alcohol policies, to strengthen Kerala’s offerings for destination weddings and corporate events. As Kerala ramps up its marketing and infrastructure, the 2026 Travel Mart is expected to play a pivotal role in attracting new investors, event planners and high-value tourists to the state.
News as reported
