The Hindu Business Line : KTM-'06 to begin on Sept 28

Kerala Travel Mart, a biennial event conducted during last Thursday, Friday and Saturday of September, showcases Kerala, Asia's new age destination and India's super brand, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, State Tourism Minister, said at a press meet.

It is the only tourism event in the sub continent that brings together the business fraternity and entrepreneurs behind the tourism products and services of Kerala, he said.

It is today the largest gathering designed, planned and scheduled to facilitate meetings involving buyers, sellers, media, government agencies and others, he added.

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, will inaugurate the event on September 27 at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The Chief guest will be Ms Ambika Soni, the Union Minister for Tourism.

KTM-2006 also showcases farm stays, monsoon tours, medical tourism (speciality hospitals) and wedding and honeymoon holidays as new products. The event is organised by Kerala Travel Mart Society with the support of the Tourism Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr E.K. Bharatbushan, Principal Secretary, said that there will be around 150 buyers from UK, Germany and France alone and Argentina, Brazil, Iran and Italy are being represented at KTM for the first time.

There are about 232 sellers participating in the event and there will be 166 stalls and 50 tables in addition to 16 houseboats. This is about 50 per cent more than the previous mart, he said.

Mr B.Suman, Director, Kerala Tourism said that the tourism departments of Lakshadweep as well as from neighbouring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh are also participating as sellers. Air India, Indian Airlines, Mahan Air, Oman Air, Silk Air, Sri Lankan Airlines and all the leading hotels in and around Kochi sponsor the event.

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