Kerala Travel Mart to boost Kerala's tourism income

KOCHI: The three-day ninth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2016, which concluded in Kochi on Friday is expected to boost the state’s tourism income by Rs 5000 crore in the next two years.

KTM, the largest conclave of tourism stakeholders in the state and the only such gathering in India focusing on a single destination. Last year the state earned a revenue of Rs 25,000 crore from tourism.

"The response was overwhelming particularly as there were ten new countries participating in the biennial event. Apart from traditional buyers from Europe, there was a big representation from US, Canada, Australia and China," said Abraham George, president of KTM Society, adding that almost 50 per cent of the buyers were new.

Commenting that the state’s tourism particularly meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) has been badly affected by the liquor policy which banned hard liquor in bars except in five star hotels, he said the present LDF government has assured them that it would soon bring out a tourism friendly liquor policy.

The tourism spots in the Central Kerala including Kochi, Munnar and Thekkady attracted 60 per cent of the tourists arriving in the state, he said. The KTM members have already represented to the government to look into the complaints that visa charges are high in the state.