Kerala targets global weddings and MICE tourism with world-class infrastructure
Kerala’s Tourism and Public Works Minister P A Mohamed Riyas inaugurates the country’s first Wedding and MICE Summit organized by Kerala Travel Mart at Kochi.. From left, KTM former presidents Abraham George, Riyaz Ahmed, EM Najeeb, Hibi Eden MP, KTM Society President Jose Pradeep, Mayor M Anil Kumar, Industries Minister P Rajeeve, Tourism Secretary K Biju, Union Tourism Ministry Additional Secretary Suman Billa, Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran, KTM former president Baby Mathew Somatheeram and present Secretary S Swaminathan.
Kerala — with its unparalleled natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and world-class infrastructure–is uniquely positioned to emerge as a premier global destination for weddings and MICE tourism, the State Tourism Minister, Mohamed Riyas, has said.
It is through collaborative efforts, strategic innovation and steadfast dedication that the state can translate this potential into sustained growth and international recognition, he said.
Kerala Travel Mart draws global industry leaders
The Minister was addressing stakeholders from the travel and hospitality industry, drawn from around the world, at the three-day event organised by the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM).Â
Kerala is not merely a venue but a benchmark for excellence in hospitality and event experiences, he added.
State Tourism Secretary Biju K made a presentation, highlighting the immense possibilities of Kerala as a world-class Wedding and MICE Destination.
The Industries Minister Rajeeve highlighted Kerala’s distinction as the state with the highest number of five-star hotels in the country. Renowned the world over for its infrastructure and hospitality, the state has an edge over other places due to the cooperation and participation of the local community through responsible tourism.
Kerala’s hotel strength
The state is a safe space for tourists, has a good social environment and a government fully prepared to work with the tourism industry. Kerala has 94 five-star hotels, 420 four-star hotels, and 607 three-star hotels—all of which put the state at the top of the national list. Besides, the state has four international airports, even as cruise tourism and the world’s first water metro increase its importance, he said.Â
Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director-General of the Ministry of Tourism, stated that Kerala should consider establishing a MICE Promotion Bureau, similar to those in East Asian countries. While the world’s wedding and MICE sector is worth $1 trillion, India’s contribution to it was 1.8 per cent, he noted in the keynote address at the event. As a country with good growth,
More than 675 buyers, both domestic and international, are participating in the event. Of them, 610 are from within the country and the rest from abroad. Representatives have arrived from countries such as 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.
Published on August 14, 2025
