Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) is all set to organise the 33rd Annual Convention at Mayfair Convention Centre, Bhubaneswar from September 7-10, 2017. This year the convention themed “Indian Tourism – Time to reinvent ourselves”, will focus on speculating on how the industry has been running and re-strategising the businesses.
Speaking about the convention Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO said, “Main highlights of this year’s Convention will be around the theme and Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is timely taking in view the present scenario in tourism. The past few years have seen the Indian tourism industry go through tremendous stress. An aged destination brand, low traveller demand, constant assaults from taxation and policy changes, changing distribution systems – so much has gone on and changing in our industry. The time has come to take a deep look on how we have been running our industry and businesses. This is the main objective of this year’s Convention so that we can put our brains together, look into the grey areas and work out a strategy with the help of decision making authorities.”
Recently IATO has set up various sub-committees for efficient administration. The association has divided into further special divisions to address the challenges in a more effective manner.
“IATO has set up specialised Sub-committee for effective coordination of IATO activities these are: Committee for Airlines & Airports; Education and Skill Development; Hotel Relations; Legal Grievances & Disputes; Tour Guide Relations; Railway, Surface Transport, Cruises & Waterways; IATO Website & Social Media Promotion; Outbound Tour Operator Committee/Council; PR / Marketing & Business Promotion / Road Shows; Membership Affairs & Growth; Buddhist Circuit Development; Youth/Young Leader Committee. Further IATO has reinforced chapter chairman in states by having new Chapter Chairman for Himachal Pradesh, North East States and Haryana & Chandigarh has been given greater responsibilities for coordination activities,” Sarkar said.
Moreover, IATO has also signed MoU with Jabalpur Smart City. The purpose of signing MoU with Jabalpur is to develop Jabalpur as a major tourist destination and develop a tourist circuit to cover Jabalpur as part of the same.
Speaking about the challenges which the association looks to address, Sarkar said, “Challenges have been of continuous nature related to overall hygiene at all tourist places, safety norms (everyday our newspaper/TV talk of rapes, road rage, agitations, natural calamities, fly by night operators which threatens safety), high road taxes, loads of taxes on tourism sector, lack of language guides, bumpy road (constructions blockades) and these are very annoying for tourists. Ministry of Tourism as is doing its best, but many of these issues are linked with civic governance and need better coordination with various government/ministries/state governments our efforts will continue.”
