KTM announces first MICE-Wedding Conclave
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The event will take place from August 14-16 in Kochi to feature a range of promotional plans.
Kerala Travel Mart Society, in association with the state government, will organise the ‘Wedding and MICE Conclave’ during August 14-16, seeking to fully utilise the potential of marriages as well as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) as catalysts to tourism in the state, as stakeholders feel an increasing necessity to update regional travel and tourism with the global trends in the sector.
To be inaugurated at the Grand Hyatt on Bolgatty Island at 5 p.m. on the eve of Independence Day, the event will feature business meetings and seminars at Le Meridien in suburban Kundannur on the next two days—from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
“At the KTM-2024, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had highlighted the potential of Kerala to become the hub of the country in the field of wedding and honeymoon tourism. Taking a cue from it, the upcoming conclave has been conceived amid consistent calls to strengthen Kerala’s strides amid the state’s impressive competition with foreign countries in the tourism sector”, points out Tourism and PWD Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.
“KTM will be an ‘excellent technological infrastructure’ functioning as an asset to the conference,” added Minister Riyas.
“Prime among the main objectives of the conclave is to transform Kerala into a major hub of wedding and MICE tourism,” according to Kerala Tourism Secretary K. Biju. He pointed out that the state can use its best infrastructure facilities in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal for MICE conferences. The conference can generate greater awareness about the state’s cultural heritage, ancient architecture and delicious cuisine.
“Training workshops, innovative marketing strategies logistics, and technology deployment will be organised in collaboration with large MICE and wedding companies,” said Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran.
Buyers attending the conference are said to be able to visit the MICE-Wedding destinations offered by Kerala. The visits are expected to be organised in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal. Special promotion will be given to beaches, heritage buildings and backwater resorts. Wedding and honeymoon packages will also be introduced.
KTM Society President, Jose Pradeep said, “Apart from the state’s art-forms of classical and folk genres, the conference will also showcase regional delicacies. B2B meetings will be an attraction for tour operators, wedding planners and the hospitality industry to interact directly.”
“Hotels, resorts, conference venues, conference organisers and technical workers will exhibit in the MICE sector. Wedding organisers, luxury resorts, destination wedding venues, floral arrangements, photography, catering and bridal services will get an opportunity to exhibit in the wedding sector,” revealed KTM Society Secretary S. Swaminathan.
Those working in the field of planning weddings, corporate conferences, large convention centres and tour operations will be brought under one umbrella. The conclave is also said to host seminars with the participation of international experts in the field.