Kerala has always been known as one of India’s most beautiful destinations, with its tranquil backwaters, lush landscapes, historic cities and rich cultural heritage. But there is so much more to Kerala than the destinations we usually see in travel brochures.

Our recent visit to Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) gave us an opportunity to discover Kerala from a different perspective — through conversations with local tourism partners, destination experts, hotels, tour operators and experience providers from across the state.

We were also fortunate to join a KTM post-tour to Northern Kerala, giving us the opportunity to experience the region first-hand and discover destinations that are still relatively unfamiliar to many Malaysian travellers.

For us at ZFB Travel, the trip was not simply about attending a travel trade event. It was an opportunity to understand Kerala better, experience its destinations ourselves and discover the experiences that we can bring to travellers from Malaysia.

What is Kerala Travel Mart?

Kerala Travel Mart is one of India’s major travel trade events, bringing together tourism businesses from across Kerala with travel professionals from India and around the world.

The event provides a platform for hotels, resorts, tour operators, destination management companies, transportation providers and experience operators from across the state to connect with international travel partners.

For a travel company like ours, it is an opportunity to go beyond simply researching a destination online.

We get to meet the people who actually operate the experiences on the ground — and then, through the post-tour programme, experience some of those destinations ourselves.

Experiencing Northern Kerala Through the KTM Post-Tour

One of the highlights of our KTM experience was the opportunity to join the post-tour to Northern Kerala.

Northern Kerala, particularly the Malabar region, offers a very different experience from the more familiar Kerala routes.

While places such as Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey are already well known among international travellers, Northern Kerala remains relatively undiscovered by many visitors from Malaysia.

Travelling through the region allowed us to see the destination beyond the typical tourist itinerary — from its coastline and heritage to its local communities, traditional crafts and food culture.

More importantly, experiencing the region ourselves gave us a better understanding of what would work for our own travellers.

We could see the journey times, experience the hotels, try the food and understand which attractions are genuinely worth including in an itinerary.

That first-hand experience is something we value when developing our travel packages.

Discovering a Different Side of Kerala

Our post-tour through Northern Kerala showed us just how diverse the state is.

From the northern districts to its coastal towns, heritage villages and lesser-known cultural attractions, there are plenty of places that could be incorporated into a Kerala itinerary.

One of the things that stood out to us was the variety within a relatively compact state.

You can experience historic streets and colonial architecture in Kochi, enjoy Kerala’s famous backwaters, explore traditional handicrafts, discover the Malabar coast and experience local food and culture — all within the same trip.

Kerala Beyond the Backwaters

The backwaters remain one of Kerala’s signature experiences, and no visit to Kerala would feel complete without experiencing them.

But our time in Northern Kerala reminded us that there is so much more to discover beyond the houseboats.

Kerala’s villages, craft traditions, local markets, beaches, heritage sites and food culture offer a much more intimate way of experiencing the destination.

For travellers who enjoy slower and more meaningful travel, these experiences can be just as memorable as visiting the major attractions.

Saargalaya Arts & Crafts Village

One of the experiences that caught our attention was Saargalaya Arts & Crafts Village, located in Northern Kerala.

The destination showcases traditional Kerala handicrafts and provides visitors with an opportunity to see local artisans at work.

This is the type of experience we particularly enjoy discovering — something that allows travellers to interact with local culture rather than simply visiting a tourist attraction.

It can also be a great addition to a Kerala itinerary for families and travellers looking for something different from the usual sightseeing stops.

Exploring Malabar

Another highlight of our Northern Kerala journey was discovering Malabar, a region with its own distinct character, history and culture.

Calicut (Kozhikode), Kannur, Bekal and the surrounding areas offer a completely different atmosphere from the more familiar Kerala routes.

The region is known for its coastline, history, architecture, culture and, of course, food.

For Malaysian travellers, Malabar can also be particularly interesting from a cultural perspective. The region has a long history of connections with the wider Indian Ocean trading world, and its Muslim heritage can be seen in its communities, cuisine and historic sites.

And then there is the food.

Kerala cuisine deserves an entire trip of its own.

Kerala for Muslim Travellers

As a Malaysian travel company, we know that halal food and Muslim-friendly travel considerations are important to many of our customers.

Kerala was therefore particularly interesting to us.

The state has a significant Muslim population, especially in northern Kerala, which means Muslim travellers have access to a wide variety of halal food options.

From traditional Malabar biryani to seafood, snacks and local desserts, food is an important part of the Kerala experience.

This is something we want to incorporate into our future Kerala itineraries — not simply by identifying where travellers can find halal food, but by making local food experiences part of the journey.

Building Better Kerala Itineraries

One of the biggest takeaways from attending Kerala Travel Mart and joining the post-tour was that Kerala does not need to be experienced as a standard checklist itinerary.

Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, travellers can slow down and combine different types of experiences.

A journey could combine:

•⁠ ⁠Kochi’s history and heritage
•⁠ ⁠Northern Kerala’s local culture and cuisine
•⁠ ⁠A traditional craft village
•⁠ ⁠A relaxing stay along the backwaters
•⁠ ⁠Kerala’s beautiful beaches
•⁠ ⁠Local food experiences
•⁠ ⁠Heritage and cultural activities
•⁠ ⁠A comfortable, slower-paced journey through the state

This approach is particularly suitable for families and travellers who prefer to experience a destination at a more relaxed pace.

Why We’re Excited About Kerala

Our visit to Kerala Travel Mart gave us a better understanding of just how much the destination has to offer.

But joining the Northern Kerala post-tour made the experience even more meaningful.

We were able to move beyond meetings and presentations and actually experience the destination — meeting local people, tasting local food, visiting attractions and seeing the region for ourselves.

At ZFB Travel, we believe that good travel is not just about putting together a list of places to visit. It is about understanding the destination, choosing the right local partners and creating an itinerary that makes sense for the traveller.

Kerala has the ingredients for exactly that kind of journey.

• Beautiful scenery
• Rich culture
• Amazing food
• Welcoming people
• Plenty of experiences beyond the usual tourist trail.

We’re excited to take what we’ve discovered at Kerala Travel Mart and our Northern Kerala post-tour and turn it into thoughtfully designed Kerala journeys for Malaysian travellers.

Kerala is more than a destination. It is an experience waiting to be explored.

And we’re looking forward to bringing you there.

Ready to Discover Kerala?

Whether you are looking for a family holiday, a cultural journey, a food-focused trip or a relaxing escape, Kerala offers plenty of possibilities.

Follow ZFB Travel as we develop our upcoming Kerala travel packages and discover a different side of India with us.