All set for KTM-2004

The stage is being set to showcase the state of Kerala at the third Kerala Travel Mart – KTM 2004 which will be held from September 30th to October 2nd,2004 at the Le Meridien International Convention Centre, Cochin.
The KTM is held once every two years during the last thursday, friday and saturday of September. The previous ones were held in 2000 and 2002.

The KTM is a major event conducted by the KTM Society in partnership with the Tourism Dept.- Govt. of Kerala. The objective of the Mart is to create a platform for Sellers( like hotels, resorts, houseboats, ayurvedic treatment centres, tour operators, adventure tours,etc) and Buyers ( who include tour operators, travel media and the like from different parts of India and from all over the world).

“As many as 600 visiting cards were dropped in my bowl” said a gleeful seller at KTM 2002. Compared to any other Fair I have been to in India, this was, without exception, by far the best,” commented a leading Tour Operator from the United Kingdom. Around 800 delegates from 51 countries including different parts of India participated as Buyers.

For KTM 2004, the Sellers will occupy around 200 stalls, all under one roof, thus making a platform to interact, negotiate and create avenues to sell Kerala as a tourist destination of sorts. All the 105 air-conditioned stalls have been sold out with a few stalls in the non air-conditioned category remaining. A Marina (boat-jetty) will also be erected to accommodate 10 Houseboats. 

Over 500 International and domestic buyers are expected to participate in this mega Event which will be inaugurated on 29th Sep 04 followed by a cultural extravaganza. 250 participants have already registered. Complimentary accomodation and transportation will be provided to these delegates by the KTM Society. 

Pre and Post Tours of two to three days duration will be offered for them to get a first hand experience making Kerala a ‘must see’ destination. 

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Santhigiri: Where body and soul are cleansed

Although the aim of all medicines is the well being of man, health care today is characterized by water-tight divisions among Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Allopathy etc. Navajyothisree Karunakaraguru, the founder of Santhigiri Ashram initiated a fresh beginning in the 'Arogyadharma Siddhantham' honouring and getting honoured by all other sciences as well with love by the grace of god. This initiation was through the age old Indian system of medicine - Ayurveda and Siddha which were handed down to humanity by the great sages and saints of the past. More .......