Kerala to Host India’s First Wedding & MICE Conclave This August

Kerala to Host India’s First Wedding & MICE Conclave This August

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 26, 2025

Kerala is gearing up to host India’s first-ever Wedding and MICE Conclave in Kochi from August 14 to 16, aiming to transform the state into a major global hub for destination weddings and corporate events. Organized by the Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTM Society) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the event will serve as a B2B networking platform for domestic and international buyers, wedding planners, event professionals, and hospitality stakeholders.

Announcing the conclave at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Tourism Minister Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas stated that the initiative is part of a broader plan to promote integrated tourism development in Kerala. “The conclave aims to tap into Kerala’s immense potential in this fast-growing segment and showcase the state as a one-stop destination for high-end weddings and large-scale events,” he said.

So far, 360 domestic and 40 international buyers have registered, alongside 65 sellers from the wedding and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) sectors. The event will open with an inaugural session on August 14 at Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty Island, followed by business meetings and exhibitions on August 15 and 16 at Le Meridien, Kochi.

The state’s successful marketing campaigns post-pandemic have already begun to show results, with around 1,000 destination weddings hosted in Kerala last year alone, the Minister noted. With strong infrastructure, scenic diversity, and cultural richness, Kerala is fast becoming a top choice for wedding tourism.

The conclave will also promote government-supported accommodations like homestays, PWD rest houses, and tourism guest houses, in addition to luxury hotels and resorts, to cater to a wider audience.

KTM Society President Jose Pradeep highlighted that the event, themed ‘Center Stage Kerala’, is aligned with the state’s vision to become a premier destination for both weddings and business tourism. “It will bring together wedding planners, conference organisers, hospitality brands, and logistics providers to collectively shape the future of this sector,” he said.

The event will feature:

  • Pre-scheduled B2B meetings

  • Expert-led training workshops

  • Exhibitions from destination wedding service providers

  • Seminars featuring international speakers

  • Familiarisation trips to top wedding and MICE destinations across Kerala including Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Wayanad, and Kovalam.

From showcasing Kerala’s serene beaches and backwaters to its historic architecture and cuisine, the conclave will provide a 360-degree look at the state’s offerings for unforgettable events.

“This is not just about high-profile weddings—it’s about inclusive growth,” Minister Riyas added. “When the tourism sector thrives, everyone from auto drivers to resort owners benefits.”

With high expectations and a strong industry response, the Wedding and MICE Conclave promises to be a landmark event in Kerala’s journey towards becoming a top-tier event tourism destination.


IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 3, 2026

IndiGo has outlined a cautious yet forward-looking approach as it prepares for the next phase of growth, placing strong emphasis on “operational reliability” while planning a limited set of international route additions. The airline said its immediate focus is to “stabilise operations” as it continues to strengthen capacity and network resilience.

As part of its international plans, IndiGo has announced the launch of non-stop services to Athens. This route will also mark the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR, a new aircraft type expected to support the airline’s entry into fresh overseas markets as it gradually expands beyond short-haul operations.

Beyond Athens, the airline has not shared details of additional international destinations or capacity increases. IndiGo stated that it will continue to grow its international footprint while further densifying its domestic network, without outlining the pace or scale of expansion.

On the domestic front, the airline is also preparing to begin operations from Noida International Airport at Jewar, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region once services commence.

Addressing recent operational challenges, IndiGo said it had swiftly restored normal operations following a temporary network disruption. The airline also confirmed that it is “fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator's committee” as part of an ongoing review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

While IndiGo reiterated its long-term ambitions, including plans related to widebody aircraft and sustained growth, its near-term outlook remains measured. The airline said its renewed focus on stability will help drive future scale, innovation, and impact as it carefully explores new frontiers.


Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has made an impressive start, handling a total of 26,021 passengers in its first five days of operations. This includes 12,431 arrivals and 13,590 departures, showing strong demand right from day one.

Weekend traffic was particularly high, with 5,548 travellers on Saturday and 5,614 on Sunday, reflecting growing confidence among passengers. During this initial period, the airport managed 162 flight movements, 81 arrivals and 81 departures, while keeping on-time performance smooth for both airlines and ground services.

Currently, NMIA connects 13 major domestic destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa (MOPA), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Nagpur, Vadodara. These connections cover key business and leisure hubs, giving travellers more options and conveand nience in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its network with additional destinations and increased flight frequencies in coordination with partner airlines. With strong early passenger response and ready infrastructure, NMIA is set to become a modern, seamless travel hub in Western India


Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Air India has strengthened its partnership with airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, by entering into a new codeshare agreement, making travel between India and the Baltic region easier and more seamless for its customers. This move builds on the interline partnership established between the two carriers in June 2025.

Under the codeshare, Air India has begun adding its ‘AI’ designator code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Air India’s European gateways including Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, Zurich, and London Gatwick. This allows passengers to travel between India and Riga with a single Air India ticket, covering connecting flights under the same booking.

Additionally, Air India’s interline agreement with airBaltic allows travellers to reach Tallinn, Estonia, and Vilnius, Lithuania via select European gateways, further expanding access to the Baltic region.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, "This expanded partnership with airBaltic reflects Air India’s commitment to providing seamless global connectivity to our customers. Latvia and the wider Baltic region are growing travel markets, and this codeshare makes the journey more convenient than ever."

Air India currently operates multiple non-stop flights connecting India with Europe:

  • Delhi: Amsterdam (7x weekly), Paris (14x weekly), Frankfurt (12x weekly), Copenhagen (4x weekly), Milan (6x weekly), Vienna (4x weekly), Zurich (4x weekly)

  • Mumbai: Frankfurt (5x weekly)

  • Amritsar & Ahmedabad: London Gatwick (3x weekly each)

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to include 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements, offering passengers access to over 800 destinations worldwide.

The new codeshare flights are now available for booking through both airlines’ official channels and travel partners.

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