On August 2, 2024, The Travel Planners, a premier tour operator in Kerala, India, celebrated its 25th anniversary at The Leela Hotel, Kovalam. The event was inaugurated by Dr Venu IAS, Chief Secretary of Kerala, and featured distinguished guests from the tourism industry, including Mr E.M. Najeeb, President, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry and CMD, Air Travel Enterprises; Mr M.R. Narayanan, President, South Kerala Hoteliers Forum and MD, Poovar Island Resort; Mr Baby Mathew, CMD SOmatheeram Ayurveda Group and former President of KTM Society and Mr Sayed Rasheed, Post-Master General Central and North Kerala Circle. The celebration was attended by hotels, houseboat operators, and resort owners, among others.
Founded in 1999 by Mr. Anish Kumar P.K., The Travel Planners began as a one-man operation following his completion of the Tourism Management course at the Kerala Institute of Travel and Tourism Studies (KITTS). The company quickly established itself through innovation and professionalism. In 2009, The Travel Planners transitioned from a rented office to a new building in Eanchakkal, Trivandrum, which was inaugurated by Dr. Venu, then Secretary of Kerala Tourism.
In 2005, the Kerala State Tourism Department honoured The Travel Planners with the Best Innovative Tourism Product award for introducing a destination wedding package that attracted couples from around the globe. This was followed by the Best Inbound Tour Operator award in 2011 from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, presented by actress Priyanka Chopra in the presence of the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Tourism Minister.
The Travel Planners embraced digital marketing early on, launching a YouTube channel in 2011 and collaborating with renowned Malayalam film director Mr. Vipin Das to produce engaging content that showcased Kerala’s beauty. Their promotional videos, including one highlighting Kerala as a honeymoon destination, gained significant attention and helped elevate the state’s profile.
The company’s website, www.keralatourpackages.com, provides a comprehensive range of tour packages across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, featuring cultural tours, family holidays, honeymoon packages, and wellness tours. In 2015, The Travel Planners received the Best Use of Information Technology award from the Kerala Tourism Department.
In addition to its digital prowess, The Travel Planners owns three boutique properties in prime Kerala locations: The Villa Romantica at Cochin Airport, Spice Tree in Munnar, and The Ayur Villa in Kovalam, an Ayurveda and Yoga retreat. The company also boasts a fleet of luxury cars and coaches, with highly-rated service on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews.
At the silver jubilee celebration, The Travel Planners unveiled a new logo and announced a strategic shift towards women’s travel, destination weddings, and customized South India travel packages. Mr. Anish Kumar P.K. praised the dedicated team of over 25 tourism professionals, whose hard work has cemented The Travel Planners’ status as the leading travel agency and tour operator in Kerala.
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