Kochi, Apr. 30: Kerala will host a pioneering conclave this monsoon to boost efforts towards transforming the state into the country’s top-most destination for wedding and MICE tourism, as stakeholders feel an increasing necessity to update regional travel and tourism with the global trends in the sector.

The ‘Wedding and MICE Conclave’ in this city from August 14 to 16, organised by Kerala Travel Mart Society in association with the state government, seeks to fully utilize the potential of marriages and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) as catalysts for tourism in the state.

The milestone event, to be inaugurated at Grand Hyatt in Bolgatty Island at 5 p.m. on the eve of Independence Day, 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.

Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan had, at the KTM-2024 last year, highlighted Kerala’s potential to become the country’s hub in wedding and honeymoon tourism. Taking a cue from this, 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 Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas.

The points raised at his inaugural speech at the 12th KTM in September triggered a string of discussions by the administration, leading to the idea of holding an international conference in this sector. Officials emphasised the need to closely monitor the changes in the international arena to enable the state to prepare its future in tourism accordingly.

Minister Shri Riyas adds that KTM will be an “excellent technological infrastructure” that functions as an asset to the conference.

Prime among the main objectives of the conclave is to transform Kerala into a significant hub of wedding and MICE tourism, according to Kerala Tourism Secretary Shri 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. It can host wedding tourism with beaches, backwaters and hills as locations. The conference can generate greater awareness about the state’s cultural heritage, ancient architecture and delicious cuisine.

Those working in wedding planning, corporate conferences, large convention centres, and tour operations will be brought under one umbrella. Through them, Kerala will be promoted in the MICE-Wedding sector.

Kerala Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran notes that training workshops, innovative marketing strategies, logistics, and technology deployment will be organized in collaboration with large MICE and wedding companies.

Buyers attending the conference will be able to visit Kerala’s MICE-wedding destinations. Visits will be organised in Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Bekal.

Kerala’s best beaches, heritage buildings, and backwater resorts will receive special promotion. Wedding packages and honeymoon packages will also be introduced.

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, says KTM Society President Shri Jose Pradeep. The event will also feature traditional and classical art forms, such as Kathakali dance and Carnatic concerts, and a range of the region’s cuisine.

One main attraction is the exhibition in the wedding-MICE tourism sector. Hotels, resorts, conference venues, conference organisers, and technical workers will exhibit in the MICE sector. Wedding organizers, luxury resorts, destination wedding venues, floral arrangements, photography, catering, and bridal services will also have an opportunity to exhibit in the wedding sector, reveals KTM Society Secretary Shri S. Swaminathan.

In addition to business meetings from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., the conclave will host seminars with the participation of international experts in the field.

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