Kochi, Sep 26 (IANS): Kerala will have new destinations across the state that will boost its tourism sector, an official said Wednesday.

The seventh edition of the premier tourism mart in the country will showcase new destinations in the state, said Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar.

The Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2012 will be held from Sep 27-30 at Le Meridien Convention Centre here.

"We need to add newer destinations, which are numerous across the state," Kumar told IANS.

"Earlier it was south, north and central Kerala and now it's specific places like in Ernakulam or Wayanad or Kasargode and we expect showcasing newer destinations in KTM," said Kumar.

"Bekal in Kasargode district has huge investments taking place there. So is it Wayanad district in the north.

"These places have now become must see destinations and the KTM is expected to provide a huge boost to them," said Kumar.

With the huge response to the KTM, the organisers are excited.

Over 48 countries are going to represent with around 500 buyers. Over 1,742 buyers from the country will attend the event.

"The highlight of this biennial event is that 70 new properties will be showcased," Riaz Ahmed, president of the KTM told IANS.

The KTM Society has 623 members with profiles varying from Airline, Ayurveda Centre, Farmstay, Homestay, Hotel, Speciality Hospital, Resort, Travel Agent to Tour Operators specialized in Adventure, Backwater, Heritage, Monsoon, Plantation, Wedding and Honeymoon packages.

Post the event, tours are also being arranged for interested buyers for three days from Oct 1 to Bekal, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.