Kochi is set to host Kerala’s first-ever Wedding and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Conclave from August 14 to 16. The event is being organized by the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society in collaboration with the state government, aiming to position Kerala as a global destination for weddings and MICE tourism.
The inaugural ceremony will take place at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty, at 5 pm on August 14. The event will be inaugurated by Tourism and Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas. State Industries, Coir, and Law Minister P. Rajeev will chair the session, while Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will be the chief guest.
Held under the theme Centre Stage Kerala, the conclave will continue with trade meetings and exhibitions on August 15 and 16 at Le Meridien, Kochi. More than 675 buyers have registered so far, with 610 from within India and 65 from overseas. There will be 75 exhibition stalls for sellers, including participation from KTDC, the Department of Tourism, and the Ministry of Tourism.
KTM Society President Shri Jose Pradeep and Secretary Shri S. Swaminathan shared updates at a press conference, stating, “This initiative is to maximize the various potentials of Kerala as one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the world.”
Several dignitaries will attend the inaugural, including Shri Hibi Eden MP, Kochi Mayor Shri M. Anilkumar, Union Ministry of Tourism Additional Secretary and Director-General Shri Suman Billa, State Tourism Secretary Shri K. Biju, Kerala Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran, and Additional Director Smt Sreedhanya Suresh.
Two national seminars will be held to discuss the future vision for Kerala’s wedding and MICE sectors. The event will also see participation from representatives of countries including the UAE, UK, Germany, USA, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Oman, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
The conclave follows Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan’s announcement at KTM-2024 that Kerala aims to become the country’s hub for wedding and honeymoon tourism. Training camps, marketing initiatives, technological interventions, and full integration of the local supply chain are part of the broader plan to boost this sector.
The exhibition space is reserved for experienced businesses in the MICE and wedding sectors, including wedding planners, luxury resorts, destination venues, floral designers, photographers, caterers, and bridal service providers.
Buyers will also experience Kerala’s tourism offerings through curated tours to destinations like Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Bekal. These tours will combine beaches, backwaters, mountains, cultural heritage, architecture, and cuisine.
All business meetings will follow a pre-scheduled format, accompanied by expert-led training workshops and showcases of Kerala’s potential in the wedding industry. Seminars featuring international experts will also take place alongside the meetings, which will run daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
KTM Treasurer Shri Jibran Asif, former presidents Shri Abraham George and Shri Baby Mathew, joint secretary Shri Jobin Joseph, and vice president Shri C. Harikumar were also present at the press conference.
