Kerala has set an ambitious target of attracting five million foreign tourist visits and 100 million domestic tourist visits over the next five years, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan announced while inaugurating the 13th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM 2026) at Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty.
Positioning Kerala as a destination with a distinctive tourism proposition, the Chief Minister said the state would focus on expanding its international appeal while strengthening domestic tourism and developing new experiences rooted in Kerala’s natural, cultural and maritime heritage.
Tourism, Culture and Cinema Minister P. C. Vishnunadh presided over the inaugural ceremony, with Cooperation and Excise Minister Liju as Guest of Honour.
The Chief Minister said Kerala recorded 821,999 foreign tourist visits in 2025, an 11.33 per cent increase over the previous year. Domestic tourist visits reached 25.05 million, registering a growth of 12.64 per cent.
Highlighting the scope for further diversification, Satheesan said Kerala would give greater emphasis to ecotourism, including forest tourism, jungle lodges and trekking, while ensuring that such development remains sustainable.
He also outlined plans to strengthen Kerala’s maritime and cruise tourism infrastructure. The government has approved the development of a cruise terminal at Cochin Port, while another terminal is planned for Kozhikode. In a subsequent phase, cruise tourism is proposed to be expanded to 44 rivers across the state.
“We want to integrate all the ports and make entire Kerala into a port city,” the Chief Minister said, adding that a significant share of logistics could eventually be shifted to sea transport.
Kochi is also set to gain a major convention facility near the airport, while the government plans to establish an international maritime museum and an oceanarium in the city. The projects fit into Kerala’s broader effort to showcase its centuries-old maritime connections, including the heritage of Muziris.
Addressing the gathering, Vishnunadh described KTM as an important platform connecting Kerala with the global travel trade.
The minister said the government would also expand tourism beyond established destinations by strengthening infrastructure across 100 emerging tourism locations. The initiative is aimed at distributing tourism benefits more widely across the state.
Emphasising experiential travel, Vishnunadh announced that the ‘Be a Malayali for a Day’ initiative would be introduced during the next Onam season. The programme will offer visitors an opportunity to experience Kerala’s traditional lifestyle, food and cultural practices.
The minister also highlighted the continued growth of Kerala tourism, citing the 11.33 per cent rise in foreign tourist visits and 12.64 per cent growth in domestic visits recorded in 2025.
Assuring the industry of continued government support, Excise Minister Liju said the state’s excise policy would not contain measures detrimental to tourism.
The scale of KTM 2026 reflects the expanding engagement between Kerala’s tourism industry and international markets. The business meetings and exhibition will take place from September 25 to 27 at the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres on Willingdon Island.
The event will conclude with post-mart familiarisation tours covering 12 major destinations across Kerala from September 28 to October 3, allowing selected participants to experience the state’s tourism offerings firsthand.
Kerala Tourism Secretary Biju K. made a detailed presentation on the state’s tourism development plans, including the proposed development of destinations in Kollam to international standards. Kerala Tourism Director M. Anjana released the Sellers Directory published for the mart.
The inaugural event was attended by MLAs Tony Chammany, T. J. Vinod, Mohammed Shiyas and Deepak Joy; Kochi Corporation Mayor Adv. Minimol V. K.; S. Harikishore, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Ernakulam District Collector G. Priyanka; KTDC Managing Director and Kerala Tourism Additional Director Sumith Kumar Thakur; and former KTM presidents Baby Mathew, Jose Dominic, E. M. Najeeb, Riaz Ahmed and Abraham George.
KTM Society President Jose Pradeep welcomed the gathering, while Secretary S. Swaminathan proposed the vote of thanks.
