In an unprecedented move, Rajiv Mehra, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has announced that the 37th IATO Annual Convention of the association, which was scheduled to take place in Bangalore from 15th to 18th September 2022 has been called off.
The association in a media statement has said that the coveted event has been called off due to unavoidable circumstances arising out of the withdrawal of support by the Karnataka Tourism in spite of giving written confirmation for hosting the convention in the garden city.
Mehra informed that all arrangements made for the convention in Bangalore have been cancelled due to this development which are beyond control.
IATO had booked 400 rooms at Hotel Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn and the convention hall but had to release all bookings due to withdrawal of support from Karnataka Tourism in spite of announcing the same at the inaugural function of IATO 36th Annual Convention in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in the presence of Chief Minister of Gujarat and over 750 delegates.
“This development is very unfortunate which IATO never expected from Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka,” read the statement.
IATO is now exploring for an alternative host destination for organising the convention which is likely to take place now in the month of December 2022.