IATO Convention in 2025 Heads to Puri, Odisha
In a recent announcement, Rajiv Mehra, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), unveiled plans for the 40th IATO Annual Convention, scheduled to take place in the scenic city of Puri, Odisha, in September 2025. The decision to host this prestigious event in Puri received the enthusiastic endorsement of the Odisha Government’s Tourism Department. This marks the third time that the IATO Annual Convention will grace Odisha, with the previous gatherings occurring in Bhubaneswar in 2008 for the 24th Annual Convention and in 2017 for the 33rd IATO Annual Convention.
The 33rd IATO Annual Convention, held at the Mayfair Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, and proved to be a resounding success, attracting approximately 900 delegates from across the country. With Puri’s alluring appeal, Rajiv Mehra anticipates an even more impressive turnout, estimating around 1,000 delegates for the upcoming convention.
Mehra took a moment to express his heartfelt appreciation to Aswini Kumar Patra, the Tourism Minister of Odisha, and the Odisha Tourism board for their enthusiastic acceptance of IATO’s proposal.
While preparations for the 39th IATO Annual Convention are underway, the exact venue remains under wraps and will be unveiled in due course.
Meanwhile, the spotlight is currently trained on the association’s 38th Convention, set to unfold in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) from September 29th to October 2nd 2023.
The 38th IATO Convention in Aurangabad is poised to draw over 900 delegates, boasting participation from more than 25 state tourism departments. IATO has announced a curtain-raiser event for the convention in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to divulge pertinent details about the gathering. The convention’s central theme revolves around “Inbound Tourism and Emerging Sustainable Trends.”
IATO Convention
Rajnish Kaistha, Senior Vice President of IATO, underscored the significance of this year’s convention, emphasizing the attention it would bring to a smaller town. He noted the convention’s backdrop, the illustrious Ajanta and Ellora caves, India’s first two UNESCO heritage sites since 1983. Distinguished guests, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, as well as the leader of the opposition, Amandas Danve, are actively championing tourism promotion in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. This collaborative effort in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode is poised to elevate tourism in the region to new heights.
A substantial number of IATO members have already registered for the event, and the organization anticipates a gathering of approximately 1,000 attendees. In a bid to showcase the finest attractions of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and its environs, familiarization tours are planned for the members. This initiative aims to empower them to effectively market these sites to foreign tour operators and international guests.
Kaistha stressed the city’s need for increased air connectivity to enhance its tourist appeal, revealing that the local airport is prepared to accommodate three to four times more flights. During the convention, pivotal sessions will focus on fostering synergy with state governments, hotels, cruise operators, and imparting digital knowledge to members. Sustainability will also be a prominent theme, encompassing efforts to reduce carbon footprints and strategies for sustaining tourism in the post-Covid era.
Notably, the convention is expected to be a transformative force for the region, contributing to infrastructural upgrades and generating future employment opportunities.
