Category: Kerala

Gopinath Parayil and Lakshmi at the Chekkutty stall Chekkutty dolls which became a symbol of survival and hope in flood ravaged Kerala, has conquered the hearts of buyers, sellers, and all the other visitors at the Kerala Travel Mart held in Samudrika Convention Centre in Wellington Island.  Chekkutty was an initiative started to support Chendamangalam weavers who lost their stocks in the flood in August. Ernakulam district Collector Safirulla IAS, Lakshmi Menon and Gopinath Parayil at Chekkutty stall in KTM wearing Chekkutty as a mascot of resilience and hope The dolls are made from handloom sarees weaved for Onam sales, ... Read more

The ongoing tenth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) in Kochi has the highest number of foreign buyers from US and UK, signalling the growing interest of visitors from these countries in Kerala. As many as 42 buyers have arrived from the US while around 40 buyers have turned up from the UK for business interactions with the sellers, being held at Samudrika and Sagara Convention Centre, Willingdon Island. Incidentally, this edition of the KTM has the highest number of foreign buyers, which stands at 545, and they have come from 66 countries. There are 37 buyers representing the UAE ... Read more

Kerala’s tourism warrants renewed approach that promotes customised service as well as night life besides technology and packages that are updated with times so as to win back young visitors to the state, experts said today. Digital media and even artificial intelligence are proving to be key requirements for tourism promotion to get newer audiences across the globe and God’s Own Country can’t be an exception, speakers told a seminar at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) in Kochi. All the same, “over-tourism” should not disturb the normal routine of the hosts even as Kerala should explore the scope of non-conventional ... Read more

Raviz Group of Hotels is planning to reinstate an ancient tourist circuit connecting southern Kerala with Tamil Nadu. This route, which will connect Kollam and Kovalam with Southern Tamil Nadu, was used by foreigners for tourism and trade purposes some 30 years ago. During 1970s and 80s the foreign tourists used to use the southern circuit to visit Kerala. Later it was abandoned as new tourist destinations have emerged like Kochi, Alappuzha Thekkady and Munnar. “We are planning to revive the old route with the name ‘The Copper Plate Circuit,” said Dileep Kumar, General Manager, Leela Raviz, Kovalam. The Copper Plate Circut will ... Read more

Two huge kettukaalas are welcoming the visitors at Kerala Tourism stall at the 10th edition of Kerala Travel Mart held at Samudrika Convention Centre, Wellington Island, Kochi. Kettukazhcha is a display of decorated tall chariots and colourful wooden effigies of horse, bulls, etc displayed during temple festivals. The stall is an expression of the Kerala cultural heritage. Kettukazhcha is a popular in Alappuzha, Kollam and Palakkad districts in Kerala. The Onattukara area in Alappuzha district is very famous for the Kettukazhchas. Apart from Alappuzha, they are usually spotted in the rural areas of Kollam and Palakkad districts. Of all the Kettukazhchas, Ochira Kettukazhcha, ... Read more

A survey will be conducted seeking the possibility of offering job opportunities through tourism for people in the state’s flood-hit areas even as the August calamity has not damaged the infrastructure facilities in the sector, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said on Friday. “Students of Kerala Institute Tourism and Travel Studies(KITTS) will conduct the survey among the natives in this regard. It will help bring more people to the tourism sector,” he said at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) in Kochi. “The government conducted a “Readiness Survey” from September 1 to know if we are ready for receiving tourists. The study’s ... Read more

Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the state government is planning to introduce a law to prevent encroachments and illegal constructions in ecologically sensitive tourist destinations. “The government is focused on promoting tourism without exploiting nature,” he said addressing the media after visiting the Kerala Travel Mart in Kochi. “When Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was the Tourism Minister, the state government introduced a Bill preventing unscientific construction and encroachment in ecologically sensitive tourist places. However, the Bill could not become law. But Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the government have accorded due importance to the environment while promoting tourism,” he said. The ... Read more

The tourism industry in Kerala has showed its strong character post the devastating floods in August and the way it made the revival is astounding, Union Tourism Minister of State (Independent Charge) K J Alphons said. He was speaking after the inauguration of the exhibition stalls and pavilions at the tenth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) at Samudrika and Sagara Convention Centre, Willingdon Island in Kochi. “I give emphasis on Kerala Tourism’s ability to recoup after a severe natural calamity as an epitome wherever I go. We bounced back defeating all the never-seen-before challenges. It gives the positive sign that ... Read more

The Responsible Tourism stall at the Kerala Travel Mart 2018 is winning the hearts of many with its innovative, yet traditional design. The exhibition stall at the four-day KTM is bustling with activity after its inauguration by Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons. Responsible Tourism promotes community activities with focus on economic boost, environment protection and socio-cultural protection. A man pedalling an irrigation wheel, a woman braiding coconut fronds, two veterans weaving cloth, a tribal taking aim with his bow and arrow. An assemblage of such activities with renewed spirit presents a microcosm of Kerala’s rural life at the stall ... Read more

The short video released by famous brand Samsonite saying ‘Kerala is Open’ has become viral in the social media. It was a boost for the Kerala tourism industry, which has been bouncing back from recent floods, which caused widespread damages to the industry. The 40 second video has been shared by thousands of people, including prominent personalities like Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampalli Surendran, Renowned film actor Prithwiraj Sukumaran etc. Recently Indian Cricket Team Captain Virat Kohli has also shared the video on his Facebook page. “What a comeback from Kerala! As they say, when the ... Read more

As part of the World Tourism Day, the Kerala Tourism in association with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) has organized a walkathon from Kowdiar Square to Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism, has flagged off the walkathon. A flash mob and mime, highlighting UNWTO’ s theme ‘Tourism and Digital Transformation’ were part of the walkathon performed by the students of (KITTS). Vijayakumar, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC); Muraleedharan, MLA; Rajasree Ajith, Director KITTS; B Rajendran, Principal, KITTS; VS Anil, Deputy Director, Tourism; Muraleedharan K, Councillor; Palayam Rajan, Standing Committee Chairman and Shaji ... Read more

Tourists including children and adolescents who visit Veli can now have a trip on a Mini train. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Tourism said that a Miniature Railway project was approved at the Veli Tourist Village. The Miniature Railway project, which has modern facilities, will be implemented by the State Tourism Department at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The project will become a reality within 18 months. Tourists can travel on the Mini Train by up to 2 kilo meters. The tourism minister said that the outline of the project is ready. The train will be operated by solar energy. ... Read more

Kerala’s efforts to rejuvenate its tourism sector in the wake of the recent floods in August got a robust validation on World Tourism Day with it topping the States with nine National Tourism Awards for 2016-17. Overall, Kerala Tourism walked away with four awards, including the Best Tourism Film (Live Inspired) and second prize in the category of ‘Best State/Union Territory- Comprehensive Development of Tourism in Rest of India.’ In the Hall of Fame awards section, the two other official entries of the department which got prizes were Excellence in Publishing in Foreign Language and Responsible Tourism Project, Wayanad, for being ... Read more

The Kerala Travel Mart 2018 has kick-started in Kochi at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolghatty on September 27, with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan officially inaugurating the event by lighting the traditional lamp. More than 1600 buyers from India and abroad are in Kochi to participate in the Kerala Travel Mart. The buyers group includes representatives and heads of tourism projects and heads of tourism from the country and outside. Of the 1600 buyers, 545 are foreign buyers. “It is for the first time that we have these many buyers participating in an event in Kerala. This shows the ... Read more

Major focus to be given for responsible tourism and ecologically friendly tourism projects in Kerala, opined Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala. The minister was addressing a gathering at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolghatty after inaugurating the 10th edition of Kerala Travel Mart today. “The government is aiming to position Kerala in the world tourism map through promoting Responsible tourism. When a region changes as a part of responsible tourism, every section of the people will also benefit from it. The government is planning a project to promote the traditional art forms and cultural specialties of the Malabar region. ... Read more