The state preparing the framework for granting tourism industry status: Minister

The state government is preparing a framework to implement the proposal announced in the recent state budget to grant industry status to Kerala’s tourism sector, Tourism and Culture Minister PC Vishnunadh said.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion of the 13th Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) held in September on Wednesday, he said that KTM can serve as a major platform to reposition and strengthen the Kerala tourism brand in an increasingly competitive global market.

The minister said that Kerala tourism competes with other countries and not with other Indian states and stressed the need to rebrand Kerala’s Ayurveda and wellness tourism offerings to increase their relevance and appeal.

Tourist arrivals to Kerala continue to grow despite the conflict in West Asia. He also said that there is a steady increase in visitors to Kerala from Arab countries, many of whom are attracted by the monsoon tourism experiences of Kerala.

The minister added that the tourism department is focusing on showcasing Kerala’s main strengths, including its rich cultural heritage, performing arts and cuisine. “These are areas where Kerala has a unique advantage and faces little direct competition,” he said.

With almost three months to go until the event, KTM has already secured an all-time record of 2,360 buyer registrations. This includes 610 international buyers and 1,750 domestic buyers. Media interest in the event has also increased, with 117 media registrations received so far, comprising 60 international and 57 domestic media houses. The market will feature 366 vendors (exhibitors) along with 25 delegates across various sponsor and government stands.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan will inaugurate the three-day event in Kochi on September 24, which will include business meetings, policy-making conventions and targeted seminars conducted by national and international industry experts. Post-event tours are scheduled from September 28 to October 3, organized in twelve different geographic routes.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 21:04 IST