As the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) readies to host its landmark 40th Annual Convention in Puri, Odisha, tomorrow, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, shares key insights into the event’s theme, structure, and strategic focus. From policy advocacy and stakeholder collaboration to showcasing Odisha’s tourism potential, the convention aims to chart a clear roadmap for revitalising India’s inbound tourism in the run-up to 2030.
In its milestone 40th edition, IATO’s landmark gathering is poised to shape inbound tourism priorities, foster high-impact partnerships, and catalyse transformational change across the industry.
Rejuvenating Inbound Tourism
As IATO celebrates its 40th Annual Convention, the milestone is marked with a future-focused theme: Rejuvenate Inbound @2030. More than a celebration, the 40th edition signals IATO’s intent to reshape the future of inbound tourism with clarity, cohesion, and commitment.
“The theme ‘Rejuvenate Inbound @2030’ reflects a realistic five-year vision. It allows us to address diverse tourism segments, core concerns of our members, emerging state-level policies, and vital partnerships with hotels, airlines, and transport providers, all of whom shape the inbound experience. Despite global recovery, India’s inbound tourism still lags behind. Through this convention, we aim to spotlight challenges such as aggressive international marketing, safety perceptions, competition from Southeast Asia, visa facilitation, and the need for better infrastructure and service quality. These are critical for rebuilding our global competitiveness,” said Gosain.
Building Strategic Collaborations
All IATO conventions serve as a dynamic platform for forging meaningful partnerships across the tourism value chain. These collaborations aim to create a more integrated and competitive inbound tourism ecosystem.
As in previous years, state tourism boards will play an active role by showcasing emerging destinations and unveiling new initiatives designed to attract and engage tour operators. The host state, Odisha, will highlight its rich tourism offerings with a strong focus on cultural and natural experiences.
Private sector collaboration is equally integral. The convention facilitates B2B networking with hotels, airlines, and transport providers, helping address operational challenges such as competitive hotel rates, itinerary feasibility, and last-mile connectivity. It also encourages the co-creation of innovative travel products to enrich India’s inbound offerings.
While not on the convention agenda, IATO continues to pursue strategic international linkages. “We actively engage with global tourism boards and associations through MoUs focused on knowledge exchange, joint marketing, and two-way tourism growth. These alliances are essential for strengthening India’s global appeal,” informed Gosain.
Addressing Policy and Infrastructure Gaps
With foreign tourist arrivals yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, this year’s key discussions will centre around the need for unified governance by advocating Rs 1,000 crore India Tourism Board, alongside a revitalised Incredible India campaign to reposition the country globally. There is also a strong push for fast-tracking visa-on-arrival facilities to ease access for high-potential source markets, as well as enhancing regional air and rail connectivity to improve traveller mobility. Public-private partnerships are being encouraged to develop globally benchmarked convention centres and tourism infrastructure across states.
Driving Action Through Knowledge Sharing
This year’s convention places strong emphasis on knowledge sessions designed to equip tour operators and stakeholders with practical, forward-looking insights. From digital transformation to global market re-engagement and sustainability, the sessions aim to translate industry trends into actionable strategies and are expected to shape a more agile, informed, and competitive inbound tourism ecosystem.
“Tour operators can expect guidance on product innovation, cross-border collaborations, compliance updates, and leveraging AI for marketing. Stakeholders will benefit from policy dialogues fostering ease of doing business and improved destination readiness,” said Gosain.
Showcasing Odisha to the World
Like every year, IATO uses its convention to spotlight a host state. This year, Odisha takes centre stage as the 40th IATO Convention offers a strategic platform to showcase the state’s tourism potential on both national and global fronts. With specially curated business sessions and a dedicated focus on Odisha Tourism, the event fosters direct engagement with inbound tour operators around the state’s diverse offerings.
“The format of the convention enables meaningful dialogue and exposure. With fertile minds deliberating on key segments and a special focus on Odisha, it positions the state as a serious player in the global tourism landscape,” affirmed Gosain.
To ensure momentum continues beyond the convention, eight post-event tours have been designed to showcase Odisha’s rich heritage, natural beauty, and experiential travel products. These tours function as effective, on-the-ground marketing tools, allowing operators to experience the destinations firsthand and promote them with authenticity. Together, these efforts mark a strong step forward in making Odisha a must-visit destination for global travellers.
 readies to host its landmark 40th Annual Convention in Puri, Odisha, tomorrow, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, shares key insights into the event’s theme, structure, and strategic focus. From policy advocacy and stakeholder collaboration to showcasing Odisha’s tourism potential, the convention aims to chart a clear roadmap for revitalising India’s inbound tourism in the run-up to 2030.){kind=link}