Kerala sellers meet buyers

CHENNAI: It was not just an evening to showcase Kerala’s art forms but also promote its tourism.

"We call the event a partnership meet, where sellers of Kerala meet the buyers. Around 44 trade partners had B2B meets with 140 buyers. They briefed the buyers (tour operators) about the schemes and packages," said Satheesh K N, additional director (general), Department of Kerala Tourism.

He added that they had already conducted the meet in Bangalore, where 58 sellers participated. What followed after the meet was a cultural programme. Kerala’s art forms Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathirakali, Kathakali and the marital art form Kalaripayattu were showcased.

A statistical detail says, 5, 98, 929 foreign tourists visited Kerala in 2008, up 80,000 from the previous year.

The most important visitors are from the UK, followed by France and Germany.

Kerala Tourism together with the Kerala trade is focusing its efforts on the domestic market. Consumers can expect some great deals and value-for-money. Kerala holiday packages, branded under the Dream Season Campaign. Attractive schemes and packages by hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators will be unveiled to woo domestic travelers in a big way.

In a move to make the holiday destination even more attractive and accessible for the domestic market, Kerala Tourism will soon announce a tie-up with one of the country's leading airlines.

Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com/