The 39th Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) took place at the Taj Lakefront in Bhopal, bringing together key industry players to discuss future possibilities, strategies, and opportunities in India’s tourism sector. The convention featured multiple sessions where distinguished speakers addressed issues such as increasing tourist numbers, economic growth, and promoting destinations across the country.
During the first business session, titled “Resurgent India Inbound – Strategy to Reposition India Amid a Challenging Business Environment,” Madhya Pradesh’s Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, emphasized the state’s efforts to develop 50 new offbeat destinations to manage overcrowding at popular tourist spots and cater to travelers seeking tranquility. He highlighted the state’s focus on women’s empowerment in the tourism sector, revealing that over 40,000 women are being trained for employment in tourism roles to integrate them into the community-driven tourism model.
Shukla called for setting benchmarks for international standards without compromise from the outset and underscored the importance of pooling resources and coordinating with other departments to create the necessary infrastructure for tourism development. He also highlighted the need to create the right ecosystem to foster inbound tourism growth.
The session was also addressed by Isha Priya, Special Secretary of Tourism for Uttar Pradesh, and Vikram Madhok, Managing Director of Abercrombie & Kent India, and was moderated by Arvind Singh, former Secretary of Tourism to the Government of India.
During the session “Discovering the Undiscovered” – Ilayaraja T, Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC), spoke about the innovative initiatives taken by Madhya Pradesh Tourism to promote lesser-known destinations. He shared that the state operates over 90 properties to accommodate tourists and has a unique blend of culture, history, archaeology, and natural beauty. He also highlighted a partnership with the Eco Tourism Board to ensure that new infrastructure, like hotels and resorts, is developed sustainably. Madhya Pradesh’s Mahakal Lok and Ujjain have gained recognition in spiritual tourism, and the state is becoming a leader in responsible tourism, with initiatives such as a hotel property run entirely by women in Pachmarhi.
Other notable speakers included Ajit Bajaj, President of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI); Michael Dominic, MD & CEO of CGH Earth; and Raj Singh, Chairman of Antara Luxury River Cruises.
Special Focus on Madhya Pradesh
A special session dedicated to Madhya Pradesh saw Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, invite stakeholders, travel agents, and tour operators to explore the state’s diverse offerings. She highlighted the state’s natural beauty, rich heritage, wildlife, and forest areas that are attracting global tourists. Mukherjee also discussed initiatives to make the state safer for women tourists, including training women in 48 job roles across eight sectors of the tourism industry, and showcased various cultural and spiritual attractions.
Industry Leaders Discuss Growth and Connectivity
In another session, “Chasing Hotel for Inbound Tourism,” representatives from top hotel chains like ITC, The Leela, The Fern, Sarovar, and Pride discussed the development of the hospitality industry in India and Madhya Pradesh. This was followed by a session on “Last Mile Connectivity,” where representatives from Air India, STIC, Lotus Aero, and ITTA talked about improving air connectivity to meet the growing demand of tourists. The day concluded with a session on “Marketing and Promotion of Inbound Tourism,” which offered insights to IATO members on using media effectively to enhance tourism promotion.
Showcase of States and Reputed Brands at the Travel Mart
The convention also featured the India Tourism Fair, with vibrant stalls from Madhya Pradesh, other states like Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, and reputed brands such as Hotel Pride and Palace on Wheels. The stalls aimed to introduce IATO members and travel operators to a variety of tourism products, encouraging them to bring more tourists to their destinations through brochures, booklets, souvenirs, and local food experiences.
IATO Run for Responsible Tourism
On the final day, Sunday, a 5-kilometer “IATO Run for Responsible Tourism” was organized at 6 a.m., offering IATO members a glimpse of Bhopal’s natural beauty and heritage. The run began from VIP Road and concluded at Gauhar Mahal via Imperial Segway.
Closing Ceremony
The convention’s closing ceremony was marked by an address from the Chief Guest, Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Rajendra Shukla, who highlighted the state’s commitment to becoming a top destination for global tourists and emphasized ongoing efforts to support sustainable tourism development.