The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) held a curtain raiser event for the 39th IATO Annual Convention (August 30 to September 02, 2024) at The LaLit New Delhi on July 23, 2024. The event saw the presence of the entire leadership team of IATO, spearheaded by Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO.
The curtain raiser was graced by esteemed guests from Madhya Pradesh, the host state for the upcoming convention. Among them were Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Dr. Ilayaraja, Managing Director of MPTDC; and Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. They were welcomed by Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO.
With a turnout of over 100 IATO members and travel media representatives, the theme of the convention, “Resurgent India Inbound,” was unveiled. Ravi Gosain, Vice President of IATO and the Convention Chairman, highlighted the significance of this theme. He was joined by Sunil Mishra, Honorary Treasurer, and Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman of the IATO Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh Chapter, who serve as Co-Chairmen of the Convention.
The Taj Lakefront in Bhopal will host the convention, including registration, the inaugural ceremony, business sessions, and evening programs over three days. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh is set to inaugurate the event on August 30, 2024. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, along with numerous state tourism departments, is expected to participate, with around 15 states confirmed to join.
Sanjay Razdan, Honorary Secretary of IATO, welcomed the attendees and provided updates on the association’s efforts and activities. Rajiv Mehra announced that the convention is expected to attract 1,000 delegates from across the country, including senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, state governments, industry leaders, tourism and hospitality professionals, and travel trade media.
Speaking to Travel Trade Journal (TTJ), Sheo Shekhar Shukla elaborated on Madhya Pradesh’s goals for the convention, stating, “Through the IATO Convention, we want to reach out and host the travel fraternity to experience the cultural and tourism products of Madhya Pradesh. We want IATO members to reach out to discerning tourists from international markets to come and explore the hidden wonders of Madhya Pradesh.”
Ravi Gosain shared that they have already received 300 registrations and the 10 post-convention FAM tours, organised across various sectors to showcase Madhya Pradesh, are fully booked. Mahendra Pratap Singh emphasised the potential of Madhya Pradesh as a travel destination, saying, “As a destination, Madhya Pradesh is vastly unexplored and still undersold by the travel industry, especially to foreign tourists. This convention will help us give IATO members a better insight into the diverse and rich product portfolio that our state offers.”
Sunil Mishra, Honorary Treasurer of IATO, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing hope that member participation will make the convention a grand success.
 held a curtain raiser event for the 39th IATO Annual Convention (August 30 to September 02, 2024) at The LaLit New Delhi on July 23, 2024. The event saw the presence of the entire leadership team of IATO, spearheaded by Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO.){kind=link}