Kochi is gearing up for one of the biggest gatherings in the Indian tourism and hospitality industry as the 13th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) prepares to open its doors this September 2026.
Scheduled to begin with a grand inaugural by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on September 24, 2026, followed by three days of intensive business engagements from September 25 to 27, Kerala Travel Mart is set to bring together tourism professionals, international buyers, domestic stakeholders, policymakers, hospitality leaders, journalists across globe and industry experts on one powerful platform.
A growing international presence and an ambitious agenda for the future, KTM 2026 promises to put Kochi at the centre of some of the industry’s most important conversations. With an all-time record of 2,360 buyer registrations, including 610 international buyers and 1,750 domestic buyers, the upcoming edition promises to be bigger, more diverse and more globally connected than ever before. The event will also welcome 366 sellers and exhibitors, alongside delegates representing sponsorship and government initiatives. With 117 media registrations received so far—including 60 international and 57 domestic media houses—the event has significantly scaled up in terms of media participation and outreach.
As the country’s largest tourism and hospitality sector business event, KTM 2026 is already generating remarkable interest. The minister said that the KTM can serve as a major platform to reposition and strengthen Kerala’s tourism brand in an increasingly competitive global market. “Kerala tourism competes with other countries, not with other Indian states,” he noted. He also stressed the need to rebrand Kerala’s Ayurveda and wellness tourism offerings to ramp up their relevance and appeal.
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A GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR KERALA AND INDIAN TOURISM
At a time when tourism is becoming increasingly competitive and experience-driven, KTM offers an important opportunity to showcase the strength and diversity of Kerala’s tourism landscape before the world. From its spectacular natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage to Ayurveda, wellness, cuisine and immersive experiences, Kerala has a powerful story to tell. KTM 2026 is poised to take that story to an even wider global audience.
The event will feature business meetings, policy discussions and focused seminars led by national and international experts, creating a dynamic space for industry stakeholders to understand emerging tourism trends and explore new possibilities for growth. The conversations taking place across its convention halls are likely to extend well beyond buyer-seller meetings.
For Kerala, the timing is particularly significant. The state is looking to strengthen and reposition its tourism brand in an increasingly competitive international marketplace. The Kerala Travel Mart, therefore, offers an opportunity not only to sell destinations but also to showcase how Kerala is placed in front of the rapidly evolving global audience.
BIGGER, SMARTER AND MORE CONNECTED
This edition will also mark KTM’s complete transition into a fully digital ecosystem. Registrations and B2B meetings will be managed through new software and a dedicated mobile application, reflecting the growing role of technology in making large-scale travel trade events more efficient and connected.
At the same time, the tourism conversation is expanding into newer and potentially high-growth segments. KTM’s recent focus on Wedding and MICE tourism has already brought fresh attention to Kerala’s potential as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. The formation of a Kerala Convention Promotion Bureau and a dedicated sector-specific policy have also been announced as part of this evolving landscape
BEYOND THE BUSINESS FLOOR
The KTM experience will also go beyond convention halls and business meetings. Post-event tours scheduled from September 28 to October 3 will take participants across twelve distinct geographic tracks, offering an opportunity to experience Kerala’s destinations, landscapes and tourism products first-hand. A dedicated pre-mart programme for invited journalists will further help take Kerala’s stories and experiences to audiences across India and the world.
A TOURISM EVENT WITH THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE LASTING IMPACT
As Kochi prepares to host this grand gathering, KTM 2026 stands at an exciting moment for the tourism industry. It represents the coming together of destinations, businesses, ideas, innovation and people who are collectively shaping the next chapter of travel.
It is set to become a powerful meeting ground for the ideas, partnerships and opportunities that could shape the future of tourism—not just for Kerala, but for the wider Indian travel and hospitality industry.
This September, all roads in the travel world lead to Kochi. And Kerala Travel Mart 2026 is ready to make a statement.
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