Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated Kerala Travel Mart 2026
The Chief Minister inaugurated the 13th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM 2026), one of the country’s premium tourism and trade events, at Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty, Kochi. Here’s a structured snapshot of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM 2026) announcement and the government’s tourism vision:
Strategic Targets
- Foreign tourists: Aim to reach 5 million in five years.
- Domestic tourists: Target of 100 million arrivals in the same period.
- 2025 performance:
- 8,21,999 foreign tourist visits (+11.33% vs 2024)
- 2,50,58,366 domestic tourist visits (+12.64% vs 2024)
Ecotourism:
Focus on forest tourism, jungle lodges, trekking, and sustainable experiences.
Ports & Cruises:
- Cruise terminal at Cochin Port approved.
- Another terminal planned in Kozhikode.
- Expansion to 44 rivers in phase two.
Infrastructure:
- International convention centre near Kochi airport.
- International maritime museum and oceanarium in Kochi.
Experiential Tourism:
“Be a Malayali for a Day” initiative during Onam to immerse visitors in Kerala’s lifestyle and cuisine.
Destination Development:
Strengthening infrastructure across 100 destinations.
KTM 2026 Highlights
- Largest edition in KTM’s 25-year history.
- 3,000+ buyer registrations (including 1,200 hosted buyers).
- 383 seller stalls + 25 government stalls.
- 45,000+ business meetings scheduled.
- Fully digitised operations with new software and mobile app.
- Post-mart tours to 12 destinations (Sept 28 – Oct 3).
Key Takeaway
Kerala is positioning itself as a global tourism hub by blending cultural heritage, ecotourism, maritime history, and modern infrastructure. The government’s ambitious targets reflect confidence in Kerala’s ability to attract both international and domestic travellers while ensuring sustainability.
