Reinforcing Kerala’s focus on the Middle East as one of its most significant inbound tourism markets, the state will host Indo-Arab Connect 2026 from August 31 to September 2 in Kochi, bringing together key stakeholders from the tourism, hospitality, Ayurveda, and medical value travel sectors. The official logo of the event was unveiled by Minister for Tourism, Cinema and Culture P. C. Vishnunadh, who highlighted the growing importance of Arab travellers in shaping Kerala’s tourism economy. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on August 31.
Organised by Tourism India Media Group in collaboration with Kerala Tourism, leading industry associations, and major airline partners, Indo-Arab Connect 2026 is set to become India’s largest tourism trade platform dedicated to fostering partnerships between India and the Arab world. Speaking at the logo launch, P. C. Vishnunadh underscored the strategic value of the Middle East market, noting that visitors from Arab countries are expected to play a pivotal role in the expansion of Kerala’s tourism landscape. He observed that sectors such as Ayurveda, medical value travel, luxury tourism, and the souvenir industry stand to benefit significantly from the continued growth in arrivals from the region.
The Minister also pointed out that Arab travellers make an especially valuable contribution to Kerala’s tourism sector by visiting during the state’s traditional off-season between June and September. This seasonal travel pattern helps sustain tourism revenues and supports businesses across the hospitality ecosystem throughout the year. The event logo was jointly received by E. M. Najeeb, President, Kerala Medical Value Travel Society, and Jolly Antony, representing the Association of Arab Tour Operators, symbolising the collaborative efforts of industry stakeholders to strengthen tourism ties between Kerala and the Middle East.
Indo-Arab Connect 2026 aims to enhance Kerala’s appeal among Middle Eastern travellers by showcasing the state’s strengths in leisure tourism, Ayurveda, medical value travel, wellness experiences, and luxury hospitality. It will also feature the participation of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, along with tourism ministers and senior representatives from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Puducherry, reflecting a broader regional commitment to expanding tourism cooperation with the Arab world.
One of the key highlights of the summit will be its extensive B2B networking platform, which is expected to host around 200 tour operators from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Iran, alongside 500 domestic buyers representing tourism, hospitality, Ayurveda, and medical tourism sectors. The platform is designed to facilitate meaningful business partnerships, promote cross-border collaboration, and unlock new opportunities for inbound tourism to Kerala and India.
By bringing together policymakers, tourism boards, buyers, and industry leaders under one roof, Indo-Arab Connect 2026 is poised to strengthen Kerala’s position as a preferred destination for Middle Eastern travellers while fostering long-term partnerships that drive sustainable growth in the tourism sector.
