Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, Chairman and Managing Director of Somatheeram Ayurveda group has been elected unanimously as the new President of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), the umbrella organization of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry in Kerala for 2017-19 period.
Mr. Jose Pradeep, Managing Director of Hotel Yuvarani Residency Kochi is the new Honorary Secretary and Mr. Gopinath, Managing Director, Hotel BTH Sarovaram Kochi is the new honorary treasurer.
The other office-bearers include: Mr. Riyaz U.C., Managing Director, Spiceland Holidays Kochi ( Vice President ) and Mr. Harikumar C, Asst. Vice President of Dhakshin Routes, a subsidiary of Le Passage to India is the new Hon. Joint Secretary.
The 12 members Managing Committee members include: Mr. M.R. Gopalakrishnan ( MD, Kadappuram Beach Resort, Nattika, Trichur), Mr. Jibran Asif ( Director, Abad Hotels & Resorts), Mr. Jose Mathew ( Managing Director, Rainbow Cruises Alappuzha), Ms. Mallika Dineshkumar ( Regional Manager- South, Creative Travel, New Delhi), Mr. Manoj Babu, Secretary, South Kerala Hoteliers Forum), Mr. Mohammed Ansari, (Managing Director, Vacation Kerala, Kochi), Mr. Rakesh O.M. ( MD, Niramaya Heritage Ayurveda Hospital, Trichur) , Mr. Ross Masood ( Executive Director, Great India Tour Company) , Mr. Scaria Jose ( MD of Carmelia Haven Resort, Vandenmedu, Idukki), Mr. Swaminathan.S ( MD, Dravidian Trails Holidays Pvt. Ltd., Cochin), Mr. Shilendran M ( VP- Sales & Marketing, CGH Earth Hotels) and Mr. Sibi P Mathew ( GM, Vivanta by Taj Malabar Kochi). Out going President of the KTM Society Mr. Abraham George, (MD of Intersight Tours & Travels, Kochi) will also be the part of the Managing Committee and Mr. Mathew Philip will continue as the CEO of KTM.
The new office bearers were elected at the 19th annual general body meeting held recently at the Radisson Blu Kochi.
Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram is the pioneer of Ayurveda & Wellness tourism India, also serving as Managing Director of JEEVAN TV, a leading Malayalam Television channel and President of Kerala Athletic Association.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. baby, the newly elected president said that his prime priority to bring the necessary bye law amendment to regulate the proxy menace in election of KTM society and new marketing strategies would be developed to bring more tourists to Kerala and efforts would be made to strengthen the tourism industry.
He also added that, a road map for the development of tourism industry in Kerala will be formulated by KTM Society in near future with the support of Kerala Tourism department, various trade organisations and industry stake holders to develop a new tourism culture in the state.
