Kerala Travel Mart 2000 marked the inaugural edition of India’s first-ever destination-specific tourism trade show, held from September 28 to 30, 2000, in Kochi. Conceptualized as a unique public-private partnership initiative, the event was organized by the Kerala Travel Mart Society in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. The Mart brought together around 160 exhibitors from across the state, including resorts, hotels, tour operators, and houseboat service providers. It attracted over 350 registered buyers from across India and abroad, creating a focused B2B platform exclusively for promoting Kerala’s tourism offerings.
As the first event of its kind in the country, KTM 2000 was a turning point for Kerala’s tourism industry. It successfully positioned the state as a comprehensive travel destination with a rich blend of nature, culture, wellness, and heritage. The Mart emphasized themes such as Ayurveda, backwaters, and eco-tourism—areas that would go on to define Kerala’s brand identity in global travel markets. KTM 2000 not only set a benchmark for subsequent editions but also demonstrated how collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector could drive sustainable tourism development in the state.
