TARUN KUMAR
Thiruvananthapuram / Delhi : The Kerala Tourism Pavilion, prominently featured at the World Travel Market (WTM), the world’s leading travel-tourism trade fair, has been attracting a steady stream of enthusiastic visitors since it opened on Tuesday, in London.
WTM London is a premier trade fair that showcases top destinations as well as tourism buyers and sellers worldwide. The United Kingdom is one of the significant source markets for the Kerala tourism industry.
Indian High Commissioner in London Vikram K. Doraiswamy inaugurated the pavilion. Tourism Director Sikha Surendran is leading the Kerala delegation at the fair.
Set in a 110 sq m space, the Kerala Pavilion is themed “A Wonderful World” and celebrates the cultural diversity and art forms of the state. The stand also features live Kathakali and Mohiniyattam performances.
Kerala Tourism is participating in WTM-2024, which started on November 5, with business partners from the tourism sector in Kerala.The pavilion will remain open for three days. Tourism and Public Works Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas said the state’s participation in WTM will benefit its campaign to attract foreign tourists.
“Kerala promotes the idea of a tourism destination suitable for all seasons. New destinations and innovative tourism circuits are being introduced,” he said.“The state is recording a steady growth in foreign tourist arrivals. Based on the discussions at the trade fair, we expect more UK tourists to come to Kerala in the new season,” Shri Riyas added.
Prominent visitors to the pavilion included Goa Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Smt Pravati Parida, and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India Smt Mugdha Sinha.
Tourism Secretary Shri K Biju said the state’s participation in global events like WTM will help maintain Kerala’s position as a top destination of choice for international tourists.
“The arrival of tourists from foreign markets, including the UK, will increase through the commercial partnership discussions with industry representatives,” he said.
Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran, who led the Kerala Delegation to WTM, said Kerala Tourism’s unique products and initiatives are well presented to the global tourism industry at the event.
“The business interactions at the trade fair will significantly benefit the state’s tourism industry,” she said.
Eleven tourism ventures from Kerala are participating in WTM along with Kerala Tourism, including an Ayurvedic resort, four hotels and resorts, five tour operators and a houseboat service provider.
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Abad Hotels and Resorts, Alhind Tours and Travels, Cosima Holidays India, Eastend Hotels and Resorts, Krishnendu Ayurveda, Oscar Cruises, Pioneer Personalized Holidays, Santa Monica Tours and Travels, Travelkart India, UDS Group of Hotels and Resorts make up the Kerala participation at the event.
