Trivandrum: Kerala Governor, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan today made a strong pitch for the adoption of sustainable and inclusive models in tourism as it is abundantly clear that the future of the sector depends entirely on preserving nature and culture from the ravages of environmental destruction and climate change.
He said this while inaugurating the first edition of South India’s prestigious travel expo Global Travel Market (GTM 2023) at Kovalam here, which brings together tourism sector stakeholders from across the world.
GTM 2023, an annual B2B travel and trade exhibition, is organised by South Kerala Hoteliers Forum (SKHF), Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI), Tavaz Ventures, Metro Media and Citrine Hospitality Ventures.
Goa Governor, Shri PS Sreedharan Pillai inaugurated the Seminar Sessions which will deliberate on various topics on the theme ‘Experience the Essence of South India: Where Culture Meets Nature’. Earlier, setting the context for the deliberations and interactions of the four-day meet, Tourism Minister, Shri P A Mohamed Riyas unveiled the GTM 2023 handbook at the venue.
More than 1,000 trade visitors, 600 plus domestic and 100 international tour operators and 100 plus corporate buyers will attend the summit. The trade exhibition of GTM 2023 will be held at Travancore International Convention Centre, Greenfield International Stadium, Karyavattom, from September 28 to 30.
A familiarization tour will be organised on September 30 to introduce the delegates to riveting tourist attractions like Jatayu Earth Centre, Ashtamudi Lake, Poovar, Thiruvananthapuram city, Varkala and Kovalam. The event will have 200-plus stalls put up by major hoteliers and resorts, tourism boards and organisations, airlines, travel agents, tour operators and travel tech innovators.
Also, pavilions featuring six themes including inbound travel to Kerala, outbound travel operators (both B2B and B2C), Ayurveda, yoga and wellness, resorts, retreats and hospitals, wedding tourism, corporate conclaves, homestays and serviced villas will be set up at the travel expo. The expo will be open for the public to visit on September 30.