The ninth edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in the State, will kick off in Kochi on September 28.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event at Hotel Le Meridien on September 27, on World Tourism Day.
Kerala Travel Mart Society President Abraham George said the society has adopted a comprehensive nine-point charter to address major concerns at tourism hotspots as it gears up to host the biggest travel event focused on a single destination.
The nine-point agenda for action calls for measures to tackle waste, promote organic farming, enable efficient use of energy and extensive use of local produce and products.
Other key areas in the checklist are rainwater harvesting, reducing the use of plastics, and improving greenery, he said.
As many as 57 other countries will be represented at the trade event this year, including 10 first-time participants. The ninth edition will focus on Responsible Tourism and ‘Muziris and the Spice Route.
New entrants The new entrants to KTM include China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Georgia, Chile, Greece, Iran and Botswana.
Domestic buyers from 20 Indian states are also participating in the event
The number of registered international delegates attending KTM 2016 has swelled to 560. Domestic participation has been buoyed as well with some 1,304 domestic buyers expected to participate this year.