Bhopal, 29th August 2024. The 39th annual conference of IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) will be held in Bhopal from 30th August at Hotel Taj Lakefront. The three-day conference will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the state, Dr. Mohan Yadav in the auspicious presence of Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowment Shri Dharmendra Singh Lodhi.
More than 1200 tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and representatives of the tourism sector from across the country will participate in the conference being held on the theme ‘Resurgent India Inbound’. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department will promote state as a clean, green and safe destination as per information shared by Managing Director of Tourism Development Corporation Dr. Ilayaraja T, Additional Managing Director of Tourism Board Ms. Bidisha Mukherjee, President of IATO Rajeev Mehra, Vice President Ravi Gosain, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Chapter Chairman Mahendra Pratap Singh.
Discussion on ‘Resurgent India Inbound’
The conference will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on 30th August, after which the first day will conclude with cultural presentations. Business sessions will be held on the second day on August 31. Mr. Rajnish Kaistha, Sr. Vice President, IATO will begin the session with opening remarks followed by Convention Film. The business session on ‘Resurgent India Inbound’ - Strategy to Reposition India amid Challenging business environment will be moderated by Mr. Arvind Singh, IAS (Retd), Secretary to the Govt. of India and will be attended by Mr. Gyan Bhushan, IES- Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Tourism, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Meshram, IAS-Principal Secretary & Director General- Tourism, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Abhay Kumar Singh - IAS, Secretary Tourism, Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar, Ms. Yasha Mudgal, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary (Tourism), Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. B.N. Patil, IAS-Director, Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra and Mr. Vikram Madhok, MD-Abercrombie & Kent
Special session on Madhya Pradesh
The second session will be on Madhya Pradesh. In which information on the tourism characteristics and possibilities of the state will be given by Ms. Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Managing Director, Tourism Board. After this, discussions will be held by subject experts through 4 other sessions to increase the number of foreign tourists across the country.
Run for Responsible Tourism on 01 September
On September 1, 'Run for Responsible Tourism' will begin from Raja Bhoj Statue located on VIP Road at 6 am and return to the statue via Hotel Imperial Sabre intersection. There will be post tours after the IATO conference on 2nd September in which tour operators and travel agents will be taken to major tourist destinations like Bhopal, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi, Khajuraho, Indore, Udayagiri, Sanchi.
About The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO )
The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), the national body of inbound tourism, has over 1900 members, covering all sectors of the tourism industry. Established in 1982, IATO plays a major role in bringing international travellers to India and planning their tours. Through the conference to be held in Bhopal, the Tourism Department will get a platform to promote the tourism attractions of the state and develop new tourism circuits focusing on spiritual and historical sites.
