The Kerala Travel Mart 2010, which started yesterday at Bolgatty Palace Hotel, Bolgatty Island, Kochi, was inaugurated by Jasti Chelameswar, Chief Justice, Kerala High Court. The function was presided by Cheriyan Philip, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). Dr V Venu, Secretary, Kerala Tourism made a presentation on Kerala Tourism. The inaugural function was addressed by Ananth Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and M Shivshankar, Director, Kerala Tourism. A promotional film on Kerala Tourism, 'Your moment has come' was screened on the occasion. "The preparations for the Mart are complete and we expect this Mart to be the most successful travel mart," said Riaz Ahmed, President, KTM.

The venue is decked up to showcase the culture, traditions and festivals of Gods Own Country in the most befitting manner. The first Marina in the country at the Bolgatty Island is ready with the houseboats and luxury yachts.

The inaugural function was followed by a grand entertainment programme, on the theme, 'Athithi Devo Bhav' which is this year's theme for the Mart. The objective behind selecting this theme is, that tourism is considered as an eternal rainbow which connects countries, continents, people and above all the 'athithi and athitheya' (guest and host). There was also a cultural programme on the theme on the inaugural day. The script for the same is by K Jayakumar, IAS, Kerala and Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala and the show directed by K C Chandrahasan of Kerala Travels Interserve.

The business sessions of the Mart begins today with Speed Networking. This is a structured networking opportunity to bring maximum number of introductions for both buyers and sellers. Participants in a Speed Networking forum will meet more people, make more contacts and generate more business ideas in one short session.

There are three seminars in this Mart. The first seminar to be held on September 25 is on 'Buyers perspective of Kerala' at 11 am and the second Seminar is on 'Sustainable Tourism' at 3 pm. There will be an exposition on Muziris Heritage on September 26 at 11 am.