While IATO election campaign is in the last legs, which is scheduled to be held on coming weekend the allegations, blame game and heated arguments have taken the attention of everyone any which way related to the ‘Inbound Tourism’ segment.
One such issue – that IATO is ‘Delhi Centric’ association, taken up by the several senior candidates got the attention and rebuttal of the Outgoing President of IATO Pronab Sarkar.
While expressing his disagreement on the issue, Sarkar feels that this is just an election gimmick. “The issue has arisen at this point of time because of the election. Some of the senior contestants are blaming that IATO is a Delhi Centric association, whereas they never said the same during their association for last 22 years with IATO,” says Sarkar.
While strengthening his remark that IATO is pan India Sarkar says, “There is a reason behind what IATO is doing in Delhi. Our association has good numbers of ‘Chapter Chairmen’ from all across the country and on top of that we have ‘Regional Chapter Chairs’ who look after the state related issues, whereas the Delhi Office Bearers are taking up the issues with the Central Government.”
Sarkar says that IATO is very clear about its responsibilities to work as an umbrella association for Inbound Tour Operators with pan India presence.
He further added that as far as it is concerned to represent the industry and its stakeholders at national level whosoever fulfilled the criteria of IATO for contesting election, can file the nomination from all over the country.
Apart from that Sarkar is not happy about the mudslinging by the candidates on each other while campaigning for the elections. He feels if this would happen nobody will come forward to serve the association.
