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Kochi Prepares for High-Volume Tourism Trade Event
The 13th Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 24 to 27, 2026, in Kochi. This four-day trade event serves as a strategic bridge between Kerala's tourism providers and a global network of travel professionals.
The event will be hosted at the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres on Willingdon Island. Unlike consumer-facing travel fairs, KTM 2026 is strictly designed as a business-to-business (B2B) platform focused on destination marketing, contract negotiations, and the establishment of new distribution partnerships.
The scale of the event reflects Kerala's ambition to compete more aggressively for international travelers by showcasing a portfolio that extends beyond traditional leisure offerings.
Buyer Demographics and Global Reach
The event has attracted a diverse pool of buyers, ensuring that Kerala's tourism sellers have access to both high-spending international markets and the resilient domestic sector.
- International Presence: 790 international buyers have registered, representing more than 50 countries.
- Domestic Strength: 2,210 domestic buyers are registered, highlighting the continued importance of the Indian travel market.
- Total Buyer Volume: More than 3,000 registered buyers in total.
This dual-stream approach allows local suppliers to hedge against market volatility by balancing international demand with domestic travel patterns, such as short-break family holidays and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel.
Supplier Diversity and Commercial Activity
The supply side of KTM 2026 is composed of 382 tourism sellers who have completed stall bookings, complemented by approximately 30 government stalls.
The seller base encompasses a wide array of tourism products, including:
- Hotels, resorts, and serviced villas.
- Houseboats and homestays.
- Ayurveda and wellness providers.
- Adventure tourism and wildlife specialists.
- MICE and experiential travel operators.
The commercial intensity of the mart is best illustrated by the pre-scheduled activity: approximately 40,000 B2B meetings have already been arranged. This appointment-led structure ensures that interactions are focused on pricing, contracting, and concrete distribution agreements rather than general networking.
Data Summary: KTM 2026 Participation
| Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | September 24–27, 2026 |
| Location | Kochi (Willingdon Island) |
| Total Registered Buyers | 3,000+ |
| International Buyers | 790 |
| Domestic Buyers | 2,210 |
| International Reach | 50+ Countries |
| Tourism Sellers (Stall Bookings) | 382 |
| Government Stalls | ~30 |
| Scheduled B2B Meetings | ~40,000 |
Key Takeaways
- Shift to B2B: The event prioritizes structured trade meetings over general public footfall to maximize commercial ROI.
- Diversification: Sellers are pushing beyond "beaches and backwaters" to promote wellness, adventure, and MICE tourism.
- Global-Local Balance: A strong domestic buyer presence (2,210) complements the international reach (790 buyers from 50+ countries).
- High Efficiency: The scheduling of 40,000 meetings indicates a high level of intent and professional engagement from both buyers and sellers.
FAQ
What is the primary goal of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM)? KTM is a B2B platform designed to connect Kerala's tourism suppliers (hotels, tour operators, etc.) directly with travel buyers to create new distribution channels and partnerships.
Where is KTM 2026 being held? The event takes place at the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres on Willingdon Island in Kochi.
Is KTM 2026 open to the general public? The event is focused on structured buyer-seller interactions and professional trade meetings rather than conventional public tourism attendance.
