During the first-ever Wedding & MICE Conclave organized under the Kerala Travel Mart, our Executive Editor, Suhani Nagpal, engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Ms. Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism. A dynamic administrator, Ms. Surendran has been instrumental in shaping Kerala’s positioning as a sustainable and responsible tourism destination.
With a strong focus on community-driven experiences, luxury blended with nature, and the expansion of wedding and MICE tourism, she outlines Kerala’s future vision in this exclusive interview.
Suhani Nagpal: First of all, congratulations on putting up such a wonderful show. I had a word with many hosted buyers, and being one myself, I can say that the event exceeded expectations—far better than other state-level events. My first question: How do you see Kerala evolving as a preferred wedding destination?
Sikha Surendran: Thank you so much. Before I answer, I must congratulate my industry partners, especially the Kerala Travel Mart Society, for their hard work. Together with the government, they have made this event possible.
Kerala is positioning itself as a sustainable and responsible destination for weddings and MICE. We want to attract high-spending groups who will not only host their events here but also experience the culture and community of Kerala. Our natural landscapes—backwaters, beaches, and hills—offer the perfect backdrop for such occasions. Added to that is our rich cultural heritage, with traditional art forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, which bring a unique charm to weddings here. Most importantly, we aim to empower local communities so that guests don’t just attend an event, but also carry home lasting memories of Kerala.
Suhani: This is Kerala’s first Wedding & MICE Conclave. What was the vision behind organizing it?
Sikha: Weddings and MICE events have always happened in Kerala, but the efforts were scattered—handled individually by hotels, resorts, or event managers. We wanted to bring every stakeholder under one umbrella—caterers, florists, artists, planners, and travel operators—so that Kerala can market itself as a holistic destination.
This conclave also helps us learn global trends, identify gaps, and strategize for the future. It’s about collaboration, co-branding, and creating a single platform to strengthen this industry in the state.
Suhani: From a growth perspective, what are Kerala’s current numbers in wedding and MICE tourism, and what targets are you looking at over the next 5–10 years?
Sikha: Currently, we don’t have consolidated statistics for weddings and MICE. But to give context, India’s share in the global MICE market is just about 1–1.8%. We clearly have a long way to go.
Our aim over the next five years is to at least triple Kerala’s current scale of activity—but in a sustainable way, with a low carbon footprint. We don’t want to compromise the environment. Kerala has always carried the brand value of “God’s Own Country” and “Responsible Tourism,” and that will remain central.