Ravi Gosain – Vice President announced as the Chairman of the Convention while Sunil Mishra – Hony. Treasurer and Mahendra Singh – Chairman, IATO Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh Chapter will be the Co-Chairmen. Commenting on the upcoming event, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Tourism and MD of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board said that the convention will serve as a vibrant platform for exploring new partners and will also be a great opportunity to market the state destinations.
The 39th IATO Annual Convention, set to take place from August 30 to September 2, 2024, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is poised to delve into the growth prospects of inbound tourism in India. Rajiv Mehra, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), has confirmed that this year’s theme will be “Resurgent India Inbound,” and will drive discussions aimed at harnessing the potential for growth and exploring new opportunities.
Mehra also informed that Ravi Gosain – Vice President will be the Chairman of the Convention along with Sunil Mishra – Hony. Treasurer and Mahendra Singh – Chairman, IATO Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh Chapter as the Co-Chairmen of the convention.
Taj Lakefront, Bhopal will be the venue hotel and all the activities on all the three days i.e. registration for the convention, inaugural function, business sessions and evening programmes will be held at Taj Lakefront. Mehra also apprised that Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has verbally confirmed to inaugurate the inaugural function on August 30 2024.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and several state tourism departments will participate, and the association expects about 15 states to participate in the convention.
Gosain said that about 900-1000 delegates are expected from all over the country to participate which will include senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the States, industry leaders, tourism and hospitality professionals, travel trade media. There are 10 post convention tours being organised on various sectors to showcase Madhya Pradesh amongst the tourism stakeholders and later promote in overseas and domestic markets, added Gosain.
During the earlier conversations with T3, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Tourism and MD of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board had shared that the 39th IATO Convention will be a great opportunity to market the state destinations. “Besides serving as a vibrant platform for exploring new partners, this will chalk out new tour itineraries with a specific focus on spiritual and heritage destinations. We will strive to have ample reflections of the state’s culture, heritage, wildlife, and gastronomy through FAM tours after the convention. We have already briefed the stakeholders on the places that can be explored in the adjoins,” he shared with T3.
“During the 3 day-convention there will also be various deliberations and sessions on burning issues and we will have experts in all fields,” added Mishra.
Besides the discussions during the sessions, IATO Run for Responsible Tourism will happen as usual and will take place on September 1 and awards would be given in various categories to the winners and runners up. Also, there will be evening entertainment programme on all three days and delegates will enjoy taking time off from their busy schedule.
During the convention, IATO is also organising Indian Tourism Fair (Travel Mart) on August 31 and September 1, 2024 at Taj Lakefront Bhopal, venue of the convention, which will give an opportunity for the members to interact with the state tourism department and other stakeholders who are exhibiting to interact with each other and promote tourism.
