Tag Archives: IATO

Uttar Pradesh Chapter of IATO conducted two chapter meetings in Varanasi and in Agra on 21st of July and on the 26th of July respectively. Both the meetings were attended by about 40 members of IATO at each location and many attendees were new members who have recently joined IATO from UP. Uttar Pradesh is a very important state and in the last financial year only it has added 35 new members to the impressive membership list of IATO. Both the meetings were conducted by Prateek Hira, the Chapter Chair of Uttar Pradesh. Guest of Honour in Varanasi meeting was Rajendra Rawat, Deputy Director – UP Tourism and similarly In the Agra Meeting the Guest of Honour was Deepti Vatsa, Regional Tourist Officer along with Harish Kumar of Ministry of Tourism, GoI. Regional Chapter Chair, Sunil C. Gupta presided over the Agra meeting along with Prateek Hira. Uttar Pradesh Chairman of IATO and Varanasi meeting was chaired by Prateek Hira. The meetings discussed and deliberated on issues and problems faced by members in the state of Uttar Pradesh and solutions to these were instantly provided by the attending government officers and the IATO’s Regional chairmaen Sunil C. Gupta and UP Chapter Chairman Prateek Hira. Sunil C. Gupta enumerated the achievements of IATO and invited all members to register for the upcoming IATO Convention in Bhopal and take advantage of the knowledge sessions and familiarization tours planned thereafter. Prateek Hira on another hand spoke about the schemes of the governments and informed the members how each of them can take advantage of the schemes after registering with the state government. He also heard all the problems being faced by the members …

39th IATO Annual Convention is scheduled to take place from 30 August to 2 September 2024 with the theme ‘Resurgent India Inbound’ in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The event is expected to witness the participation of 15 states and 900-1000 delegates from all over the country, which includes leaders from travel industry.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “We requested the Prime Minister for financial support to be provided to tour operators based on their foreign exchange earnings. Additionally, we urged the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, to allocate a budget of rupees ₹1,000 crore or more for the revival of incoming tourism.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “We requested the Prime Minister for financial support to be provided to tour operators based on their foreign exchange earnings. Additionally, we urged the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, to allocate a Unof rupees ₹1000 crore or more for the revival of incoming tourism.”

Sharing updates about IATO during its monthly meeting, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “After the general election when the new government is formed, ‘Chalo India Roadshows’ will take place. He revealed that they will launch a social media global campaign from ATM in Dubai which will start from 6-7 May aimed at fostering growth in M!CE.

While commenting on the ‘Chalo India’ campaign launched by PM Modi, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “Anything that is done to promote tourism we wholeheartedly welcome it. However, we need to rope in Destination Management Companies, foreign tour operators and get them to market us.”

Appreciating an increase in budget allocation to the Tourism Ministry in Interim Budget 2024, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “Though we welcome the increase in budgetary allocation to  ₹2,000cr from last financial year’s  ₹1600cr and mention of branding in the budget speech of the FM, we must remember that unless we don’t do roadshows overseas, familiarisation trips and publicity campaigns abroad till then we would not be able to draw tourist to our country.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “Tourism has become our blood stream. Led by our Hon’ble Prime Minister we the stakeholders breathe tourism. As the world opens up, India has positioned itself yet once again to be a vibrant destination with Ayodhya as the Spiritual Hub leading the pack. Ministry of Tourism synergizes our endeavour in both Domestic and International tourism, demand in diverse facets will grow in a geometric proportion, supply will rush to fill the gap catering to a sizable investment in tourism infrastructure.”

SC Kamra, Advocate & Taxation Consultant, IATO questioned regularity with which govt. reduced turnover threshold from ₹500 cr to ₹10 cr. “Industry apprehends it to be ₹5 cr, taking tour operators’ compliance cost of e-invoicing,” he added.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, thanked the membership for voting his Dream team at the elections and said that their focus going forward will be to serve them in the best way possible. “We will do our best to fulfil the needs of tourism fraternity,” he said.