Kochi to organize Kerala Travel Mart 2018 from September 27-30

Kerala Travel Mart, one of India’s largest tourism sector conclave of stakeholders from across the world is set to start its biennial meeting in Kochi on the September 27 for 4 days, concluding on September 30. The 10th edition of the event is being held while in the recovery stage from devastation caused by floods, is a message to the world that the state shall rise again.

The hotel Grand Hyatt at Bolgatty shall host the inaugural session of the four-day event. Organised by the KTM Society in association with the State Tourism Department, the event shall focus on resurging tourism, one of the major sources of economy on track after the natural devastation.

The KTM has received an overwhelming response with confirmation as registered participants from 395 overseas buyers and 1,095 domestic buyers form 73 countries.

Since its inception and each of its editions, the Travel Mart has served as a strong platform to showcase the might of Kerala, the time-tested as well as new products and services. Bringing together people from all over the world under one roof- reputed buyers and sellers, and tour operators, the mart offers establishing and growing firm business links.
 

Delegates at the 2018 KTM by the State Government proposes to launch new products that include Malabar river cruise project that aims on nine rivers in north Kerala.

Recovering fast and steadily from the natural calamity, tourism is making a comeback. Furthermore, traffic to major destinations across the state beaches resumed. Travelers from around the globe are planning for holidays in the peak season and are seen making bookings.

As stated by Abraham George, former president and expert member of the National Tourism Advisory Committee, meticulous plans have been made to organize the event for the safety, security and comfort of participants. For accommodation more than 1,000 rooms have been booked in the top hotels in the city.

193 nations, 6 lakh villages to participate in the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019

Allahabad will host the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 at Triveni Sangam. The largest devotional gathering of Hindu devotees in the world seeks participation from 193 nations and 6 lakh villages in India. The Uttar Pradesh Government headed by CM Yogi Adityanath make all preparations to make the event globally recognized.

Listed as one of the 13 elements in India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kumbh Mela is one of the holiest events in Hindu mythology that happens every 12 years. While Ardh Kumbh Mela, the mini version happens once in 6 years at Allahabad, Triveni Sangam at the confluence of the rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and Haridwar along the River Ganga. 

Starting in 2019 from 14/15th January, the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti to 4th March, the festival of Maha Shivaratri, the event marks the presence of devotees from all over the world to take a dip in the holy river waters at Triveni Sangam.

To make the event a global one, the UP Government plans to invite 193 countries all over the world. As per Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, representatives from each of these countries would be welcomed to a visit to the site of the Ardh Kumbh Mela at The Triveni Sangam in the second week of December. 

The Central Government headed by Prime Minster Narendra Modi supports the initiative and has plans to personally investigate all preparation in October or November. Instructions are given to all Indian Ambassadors posted all over the world to showcase the Kumbh Mela to the world in a grand way, the Modi Government has also instructed all Indian ambassadors to portray the Kumbh Mela in the respective countries where they are posted. Also to ensure success of the event, the government seeks aid of national and international tour operators. 

Regional Tourism Officer, Allahabad, Anupam Srivastava, stated that the Ardh Kumbh Mela preparations will also be monitored by a delegation of ambassadors of foreign countries led by Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister. The delegation will ensure good accommodation, tourist facilities and best experiences for their nationals during the Mela.

Apart from targeting global participants, the government will make sure that at least two people from every village in India attend the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019. Out of a total of 6 lakh villages in the country, participation of 12 lakh people is expected.