Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam lauds industry's revival in flood-hit Kerala

The tourism industry in Kerala has shown its strong character post the devastating floods and the manner of its revival is astounding, Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam said Friday.

"I give emphasis on Kerala tourism's ability to recoup after a severe natural calamity as an epitome wherever I go. We bounced back defeating all never-seen-before challenges. It gives the positive sign that tourism has regained its vigor post the floods," he said.

At least 493 people lost their lives in the rains and floods during the South-West monsoon in Kerala.

Kannanthanam made this observation while inaugurating exhibition stalls and pavilions at the tenth edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) at Willingdon Island here.

He also inaugurated the pavilion of Responsible Tourism put up by Kerala's Department of Tourism.

Later, he went around various stalls and pavilions.

The four-day KTM, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, has focused on the Malabar as a core theme.

KTM-2018 features 1,600 buyers, one-third of them from 66 foreign countries.

The mart provides a platform to world-class buyers and sellers to interact and promote businesses, giving a fresh impetus to Kerala's tourism industry that generates an annual turnover of Rs 34,000 crore and provides employment to 25 lakh people.

The mart, with 325 sellers in 400 stalls, has 1,635 buyers who are top functionaries of firms in the tourism industry within the country and outside.

The number of foreign buyers is 545, and they come from 66 countries, including USA, Russia, Japan, China, Australia, and Britain.

As for the domestic buyers, their number stands at 1,090.

Buyers and sellers meet will go on all the three days.

On Sunday, the public will be allowed free entry, while the KTM business meets at the Willingdon Island are only for delegates who need to register in advance.