Kochi: The national-level homestays and rural tourism travel meet will be conducted in Bolgatty convention centre from September 15 to 17.
The meet, organised by the Kerala State Homestay and Tourism Association (Kerala HATS) in association with the State and Union Tourism Departments will be attended by national and international tour operators, entrepreneurs and destination management companies.
A meeting convened by Tourism Minister Kadakampilly Surendran on Wednesday decided to conduct the B2B meet in September.
The state tourism department has proposed to organise the B2B meet as a biennial event. The meeting was attended by Prof. K.V Thomas MP, tourism department principal secretary Dr. V. Venu and tourism officials.
“The meet assumes great significance as both domestic and international tourists prefer to stay in homestays in rural areas. Travellers opt for novel alternative destinations, experiences and cuisine instead of the standardized services and facilities offered by hotels and resorts,” said M.P Sivadathan, director of Kerala HATS.
The B2B meet is expected to discuss recommendations to boost the rural tourism sector hit by the liquor policy and demonetization. Seminars and discussions on the potential and challenges of the sector will be held during the B2B meet.
The first rural tourism travel B2B meet organised in September 2015 was attended by more than 350 national and international tour operators, travel agencies and destination management companies.
