Indian Association of Tour Operators’ delegation, led by President Rajiv Mehra, Vice President Ravi Gosain and Chapter Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Mahendra Pratap Singh has met the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav to invite him for the 39th IATO Annual Convention scheduled to be held in Bhopal from 30th August to 2nd September 2024.
According to IATO’s President Rajiv Mehra, the Hon’ble Chief Minister was requested to inaugurate the Convention on 30th August 2024 which he gladly accepted and assured full support from his office and also from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism.
Delegation also met Sheo Shekhar Shukla, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Managing Director and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Bhopal to get his consent and finalize the convention dates.
With the support from Madhya Pradesh Tourism, 39th IATO Annual Convention is going to be held with great pomp and show, believes Mehra.
IATO organises it annual convention every year in different cities to promote tourism to the state through its large membership base pan India.
While speaking on the importance of the Convention, Mehra said, “IATO has so far organised 38 annual conventions in different states. All those states wherever IATO conventions were organized, they have been highly benefitted with the increase of 30-35% in foreign and domestic tourist arrivals.”
“What makes IATO unique is its’ cross segment membership base. This allows for dynamism in how collectively we market India as a tourism destination. IATO conventions are considered as one of the best platforms by the state governments to promote, Inbound, Domestic, MICE and Adventure Tourism and other facets of Niche Tourism to the delegates who are the ultimate promoters of tourism to those destinations,” added Mehra.
There will be various events/activities taking place during the convention i.e. business sessions, tourism mart, marketing innovation competition, Run for Responsible Tourism, cultural evening, social functions etc. besides the inaugural function and valedictory session.
This will be an excellent opportunity for the states and tourism stakeholders to showcase their products amongst the tourism professionals and senior bureaucrats from all over the country.
Ravi Gosain mentioned that like every year the team is expecting a participation of about 20 state tourism departments and 900 – 1000 stakeholders from all over the country.
