The 13th edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2026 brought together the people, places and ideas shaping Kerala’s tourism industry. Held in Kochi from September 24 to 27, this iconic travel trade event welcomed hoteliers, tour operators, destination representatives, and international buyers to explore business opportunities and showcase the state’s diverse tourism offerings.

As a media professional, I had the chance to network with industry representatives, discuss emerging travel trends and learn more about Kerala’s hotels, wellness retreats, backwater experiences and responsible tourism initiatives. So many of my insightful conversations offered a closer look at how tourism businesses are now responding to changing traveller expectations and exploring new opportunities in domestic and international markets.

Kerala Travel Mart 2026 Set Ambitious Tourism Targets

The event began with the inauguration of KTM 2026 by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty on September 24. During the opening ceremony, the Chief Minister outlined the state government’s tourism ambitions, setting a target of five million foreign tourist arrivals and 100 million domestic tourist arrivals over five years.

Tourism, Culture and Cinema Minister P. C. Vishnunadh presided over the ceremony, while Cooperation and Excise Minister M. Liju attended as the Guest of Honour. Elected representatives, Kochi Mayor Minimol V. K. and S. Harikishore, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, were also present.

The Chief Minister highlighted the potential of ecotourism, including forest tourism, jungle lodges and trekking. He stressed the importance of developing these experiences sustainably, drawing on Kerala’s natural landscapes and biodiversity. He also spoke about connecting the state’s ports and expanding the role of sea-based logistics. The wider discussion reflected how tourism development could extend beyond established attractions and support new opportunities across the state.

The KTM Expo was inaugurated by Tourism Minister P. C. Vishnunadh, marking the beginning of four days of meetings, exhibitions and discussions focused on Kerala’s tourism industry.

Domestic Brands Present

There were around 383 stalls representing tourism businesses and 25 stalls from government institutions, including Kerala Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism and India Tourism. Some of the brands present were:

– ABAD Hotels: ABAD Hotels offers a range of hotels and resorts across Kerala, with properties in destinations such as Kochi, Fort Kochi, Mararikulam and Munnar. The Old Court House by ABAD is a boutique property housed inside a meticulously restored, 200-year-old colonial court building

– Carmelia Haven: Carmelia Haven is a nature resort set amid Vandanmedu’s plantation landscape, the largest producer of premium cardamom in the entire world. To match this unique landscape, their absolute standout accommodations are luxury treehouses built high into the plantation canopy

– The Leela Kovalam and The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel: The Leela Kovalam is famously known as India’s only clifftop beach resort, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. The Leela Ashtamudi is famous for its Simham, a historic 200-year-old traditional wooden palace bungalow located right on the resort grounds.

– Kumarakom Lake Resort: Known for its traditional Kerala architecture, heritage-inspired rooms, Ayurvedic spa, and meandering swimming pools, Kumarakom Lake Resort offers a luxury stay along Vembanad Lake. It famously hosted King Charles III for his 65th birthday celebration.

– Somatheeram Ayurveda Village: It is globally recognized as the world’s first Ayurveda resort village and has traditional Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, and wellness programmes with a beachfront setting, attracting travellers interested in holistic health and traditional Indian healing practices.

– Backwater Ripples: Located in Kumarakom on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Backwater Ripples offers a lakeside resort experience with views of Kerala’s backwaters. One of the main attractions is its massive, lake-facing sunset cruise deck and its private jetty.

– Emarald Hotels & Resorts: Emarald Hotels & Resorts operates hospitality properties in multiple destinations across Delhi, Ooty, Calicut, Munnar, and Wayanad. Pristine Island Resort in Alappuzha features an entire floating restaurant and floating banquet hall docked on the backwaters.

– Greenix Experiences: Based in Kochi, Greenix Experiences showcases Kerala’s cultural heritage through traditional performing arts and live presentations. Its programs and experiential tours offer a way to explore Kerala’s artistic identity beyond its landscapes and heritage attractions.

My conversations with these brands provided an opportunity to exchange ideas about travel trends, destination promotion, and the growing interest in offbeat and slow travel.

Conversations Around AI, Personalised Travel and Responsible Tourism

Beyond business appointments, KTM 2026 featured discussions on the trends that influenced the way people planned and experienced their holidays. Seminars examined changing traveller preferences, personalised services, artificial intelligence, online reviews and digital marketing.

A panel discussion titled Digital Agenda and AI to Redesign Tourism, held around World Tourism Day, explored how artificial intelligence could support destination management, tourism marketing and more personalised travel planning.

Anish Kumar, CEO of The Travel Planners, discussed the importance of preparing tourism businesses for the growing use of large language models and AI-powered travel tools. He also highlighted the role of social media and digital content in reaching potential visitors.

Shri Soorajith Radhakrishnan, Secretary, Wayanad Tourism Organisation, said, “AI could nevertheless play an important role in destination management and heritage conservation, including helping regulate visitor access to museums housing rare artefacts.”

During a panel discussion on social responsibility in tourism, Kerala-based Ayurveda practitioner and travel writer Dr Mithra Satheesh expressed, “Another aspect of social responsibility is economic intentionality, which means ensuring that each dollar or each rupee that is spent goes to the local community.”

Evan McElligott, CEO of US-based Longer Vacations, encouraged tour operators to move beyond overly polished marketing and give visitors more opportunities to understand everyday community life through longer stays.

Neha Arora, founder of Planet Abled, stressed the importance of designing travel experiences that are accessible and inclusive from the beginning. She said tourism guides should receive adequate training and be equipped to offer travellers with disabilities the same standard of interpretation provided to other visitors. 

Importance of Kerala’s Traditional Arts

One of the interesting aspects of KTM 2026 was the presence of cultural initiatives that connected tourism with Kerala’s artistic heritage. Among them was a stall dedicated to Tholpavakoothu, the traditional shadow puppetry practised by families in the Valluvanad region.

Vipin Viswanatha Pulavar, who leads the family-run Tholpavakoothu Sangam in Shoranur, Palakkad district, explained, “We have set up this stall to generate awareness and explore the potential of the medium  to make cultural tourism more immersive.” With his wife, Ramya Devi, and his 6-year-old daughter, Mahalaxmi, who started performing tholapavakooth at the age of three, they aim to showcase that traditional art forms also have a place in tourism experiences, particularly for visitors interested in understanding the communities and traditions that shaped the destination.

The Future of Tourism

KTM 2026 gave me a deeper understanding of Kerala and what makes it such a compelling destination. Every conversation offered a different perspective, whether it was about introducing travellers to a lesser-known destination, keeping traditional art alive, or creating experiences that allowed visitors to understand local life. These are the stories that give a place its character and make the destination memorable.

I left Kerala Travel Mart with some wonderful industry connections, inspiring ideas, and a renewed appreciation for the city we lovingly call ‘God’s Own Country‘. It reminded me that no matter how often we travel or how much we think we know about a place, there is always another story waiting to be told.

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