The IATO Uttar Pradesh Chapter held two significant chapter meetings, one in Varanasi on July 21 and another in Agra on July 26, 2024. Both events saw the participation of approximately 40 members each, including many new members from Uttar Pradesh who recently joined IATO. The state has become an important hub for IATO, adding 35 new members in the last financial year alone.
The meetings were conducted by Prateek Hira, the Chapter Chair of Uttar Pradesh. In Varanasi, the Guest of Honour was Rajendra Rawat, Deputy Director of UP Tourism. The Agra meeting featured Deepti Vatsa, Regional Tourist Officer, along with Harish Kumar from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Additionally, the Regional Chapter Chair, Sunil C. Gupta, presided over the Agra meeting with Prateek Hira, while Prateek Hira chaired the Varanasi meeting.
During both meetings, various issues and challenges faced by members in Uttar Pradesh were discussed. Solutions were promptly provided by the attending government officials and IATO leaders, including Sunil C. Gupta and Prateek Hira. Sunil C. Gupta highlighted IATO’s achievements and encouraged members to register for the upcoming IATO Convention in Bhopal, emphasizing the benefits of the knowledge sessions and familiarization tours planned for the event.
Prateek Hira spoke about government schemes and informed members how they could benefit from these schemes by registering with the state government. He assured members that their concerns would be addressed by IATO. In Varanasi, Professors Jyoti Rana and Pravin Rana from Banaras Hindu University discussed bridging the gap between academia and the industry. The IATO UP Chapter felicitated the professors, along with Guest of Honour Rajendra Rawat and Vikas Singh of Hotel City Inn, which sponsored the Varanasi meeting.
In Agra, a felicitation plaque was presented to Sunil C. Gupta, Deepti Vatsa, Harish Kumar, Rajiv Saxena, and the management of Royale Sarovar Portico Hotel, which sponsored the Agra meeting. Prateek Hira emphasized IATO’s role in influencing policy changes and reaching optimal benefits for its members. Sunil C. Gupta urged members to encourage local travel trade to join IATO, highlighting the networking and learning opportunities it provides.
Both Sunil C. Gupta and Prateek Hira individually met each member during the networking tea that followed the meetings, addressing issues and encouraging attendance at the IATO Convention in Bhopal from August 30 to September 02, 2024.
