The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) will host its 41st Annual Convention from September 10 to 13, 2026, in Visakhapatnam, widely known as the ‘City of Destiny’ and the ‘Jewel of the East Coast.’
The flagship industry event is being organised with the support of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Shri Kandula Durgesh, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Cinematography; Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary (Tourism & Culture); and Amrapali Kata, CEO, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority, have extended their cooperation for the successful hosting of the convention.
Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, stated that the theme and key highlights of the convention are being curated to address emerging opportunities and challenges in the tourism sector.
The convention will be hosted at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, which will serve as the central venue for registrations, the inaugural ceremony, business sessions and evening programmes. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the Union Minister of Tourism, Government of India, are expected to attend the inaugural session on September 10. Senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and representatives from 17–18 State Tourism Departments are also expected to participate.
Sanjay Razdan, Vice President, IATO, said, “We are aiming to attract 900–1000 delegates from across the country. Curated post-convention tours will be organized to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s diverse tourism offerings, enabling stakeholders to promote these experiences in both domestic and international markets.”
The three-day convention will feature business sessions bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and experts to deliberate on key issues shaping the future of tourism.
In addition to business engagements, the event will include activities such as the “IATO Run for Responsible Tourism,” recognition awards and evening entertainment programmes, including “IATO’s Got Talent” karaoke competition.
The Indian Tourism Fair (Travel Mart) is scheduled for September 11 and 12 at the venue, providing a platform for interaction between IATO members, State Tourism Boards and industry stakeholders.
 will host its 41st Annual Convention from September 10 to 13, 2026, in Visakhapatnam, widely known as the ‘City of Destiny’ and the ‘Jewel of the East Coast.’){kind=link}