India’s first Wedding and MICE Conclave, to be held in Kochi from August 14 to 16, will act as a B2B networking platform for the integrated development of the tourism sector in the state, Tourism Minister Shri Mohamed Riyas said on Tuesday.

The Minister spoke at a press conference on Tuesday at Mascot Hotel to discuss the progress of the conclave that the Kerala Travel Mart Society is organising in collaboration with the State Tourism Department.

 Tourism Secretary Shri K. Biju, Shri Jose Pradeep, President of the KTM (Kerala Travel Mart) Society, KTM Society Secretary Shri S. Swaminathan, Immediate Past President Shri Baby Mathew Somatheeram, and former presidents Shri E. M. Najeeb and Shri Abraham George also attended the press conference.
 So far, 360 buyers from within the country and 40 from abroad have registered for the conclave, with the number expected to increase in the coming days. Additionally, 65 sellers from the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) Wedding sector have also registered for the event.

 “The conclave aims to tap Kerala’s potential in this fast-growing segment, leveraging the state’s unique advantages to transform it into a global MICE and wedding tourism hub,” said Shri Riyas.
 The inaugural session of the conclave will take place at the Grand Hyatt on Bolgatty Island, Kochi, on August 14 at 5:00 pm. We will hold the business meetings and exhibitions at Le Meridien on the following days.

 Recalling the government’s farsighted efforts to sustain and develop the tourism sector during the Covid Pandemic, Shri Riyas said, ‘Tourism Department has since then done extensive marketing to showcase Kerala’s potential for destination wedding and MICE tourism in other states and countries.’
 “Our efforts saw success as an estimated 1000 destination weddings were conducted in various tourist locations across Kerala in the last year alone,” said Shri Riyas.

‘When we examine the post-Covid era, the graph of tourist inflow in the state is higher than the global and national average, the Minister noted. Apart from its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, panoramic beaches, backwaters, and a host of other factors, including world-class hospitality, infrastructure, and road connectivity, Kerala is an up-and-coming destination for wedding and MICE tourism, he said.

In addition to five-star hotels and resorts, the tourism department will focus on developing homestays, PWD rest houses, and tourism guest houses to attract more tourists to the state as part of the integrated development of the sector, he noted.

 KTM and the Tourism Department, with the help of private enterprises, facilitate a seamless and enjoyable experience for tourists who visit the state for destination weddings and MICE tourism, the Minister said.

 The development of the tourism sector and a steady surge in tourist arrivals will improve the overall social and economic condition of society. From auto drivers to resort owners, everyone involved will have the opportunity to prosper, said Riyas.

 The upcoming conclave follows the state government’s major plans to make the state a significant destination for wedding and honeymoon tourism, as announced by Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan during the inauguration of the last Edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM-2024).

 “With ‘Center Stage Kerala’ as the focal theme, the conclave seeks to leverage Kerala’s reputation as one of the world’s most preferred destinations to ramp up MICE and Wedding Tourism, said Jose Pradeep.
 “The conference will bring together organisers of weddings, corporate conferences, operators of large convention centres and tourism and hospitality service providers under a single umbrella for a calibrated promotion of the segment,” he added.

 The meet will host training camps, innovative marketing strategies, logistics, and technology deployment in collaboration with large MICE and wedding companies, as well as utilise the local supply chain.
The exhibition, held in conjunction with the event, will serve as a platform for businesses with extensive experience in the MICE sector to showcase their products. Wedding planners, luxury resorts, destination wedding venues, floral designers, photographers, catering units, and bridal services providers will have the opportunity to display their talent.

The conference attendees will be taken to various destinations across the state, including Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Bekal.
The meet will prominently showcase attractive wedding tourism sites, including beaches, backwaters, and mountains. We will also integrate cultural heritage, ancient architecture, and delicious cuisine into the event’s theme.

The organisers will follow a pre-prepared schedule for the business meetings at the conclave. The event will feature expert-led training workshops and exhibitions showcasing the various attractions that Kerala has to offer in the wedding industry.

There will be business meetings from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on August 15 and 16, in addition to seminars featuring international experts.

For more news visit our site: Click here