India’s first dedicated Wedding and MICE Conclave concluded on a high note in Kochi, positioning Kerala as a premier global destination for weddings, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. The three-day event, organised by the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society in collaboration with the Kerala Tourism Department, brought together over 675 buyers, including international delegates from more than 20 countries. The conclave was inaugurated by Kerala’s Tourism and Public Works Minister, P. A. Mohamed Riyas, who highlighted Kerala’s potential as the most enchanting destination for this fast-growing tourism vertical. “Our state offers an unmatched combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, world-class infrastructure, and highly efficient professionals. Here, dreams are not just celebrated; they truly come alive,” he said.
The inaugural ceremony, held at Grand Hyatt Bolgatty, was chaired by P. Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Coir and Law. Kerala Tourism Secretary Biju K presented Kerala’s strengths as a world-class wedding and MICE destination, while senior officials and industry leaders emphasised the state’s infrastructure and hospitality excellence. Highlighting Kerala’s leadership in the hospitality sector, Shri Riyas noted that the state tops the national list with 94 five-star hotels, 420 four-star hotels, and 607 three-star hotels, supported by four international airports, robust cruise tourism, and the world’s first water metro. He added that Kerala’s venues—from heritage forts to backwater resorts—offered unique experiences that could transform weddings and corporate events into unforgettable cultural journeys.
Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director-General of the Ministry of Tourism, in his keynote address, urged Kerala to consider establishing a MICE Promotion Bureau on the lines of successful East Asian models. He noted that while the global wedding and MICE industry is valued at $1 trillion, India currently contributes just 1.8 percent, a share that is expected to grow significantly.
Hibi Eden, MP, reaffirmed cross-party support for Kerala’s positioning as a global wedding and MICE hub, while Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran emphasised that decades of public-private collaboration had enabled the industry to explore new opportunities.
The conclave featured 75 exhibition stalls, trade meetings, and expert-led seminars at Le Meridien, Kochi. Delegates and buyers from the UAE, UK, USA, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and several other nations participated, engaging with leading hospitality brands and tourism service providers.
KTM Society President Shri Jose Pradeep welcomed the delegates, stating that the summit had successfully brought all stakeholders of the wedding and MICE sector under one platform. “This conclave has paved the way for Kerala Tourism to assert its dominance in a new vertical, while strengthening collaboration between industry players and government.”
KTM Secretary Shri S. Swaminathan termed the conclave the “best example of public-private collaboration” in the tourism sector.
With its successful debut, the Wedding and MICE Conclave 2025 has set the stage for Kerala to emerge as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for weddings, corporate events, and incentive travel.
