TravTalk India Online Magazine
IATO’s 35th Convention in Kolkata proved to be as impactful as it was anticipated to be. The association has announced that it will conduct its 2020 convention in Ahmedabad, hosted by Gujarat Tourism.
Manas Dwivedi
The 35th Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) concluded on a high note in Kolkata, with Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (/C) for Tourism & Culture, Government of India, assuring full support to IATO on its recommendations made to the Ministry of Tourism.
During the valedictory session of the convention, the Minister said, “IATO is an integral part of our industry and we cannot take any step without the sup- port of our tour operators. We also need the support of private players for deliberating on how we can work together and move ahead. All stakeholders should come forward and work hand-in-hand with the ministry. I am delighted that India’s ranking has improved positively on the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness report, in the last five years. We will target to feature in the top 10 of the list in the next five years.
I also assure you that we will put forward your suggestions to the government with full confidence.”
For Atri Bhattacharya, Principal Secretary (Tourism), Government of West Bengal, the IATO Convention is sure to have a significant impact on promoting tourism in the state and generate more employment in the industry. “Together with its allied services, tourism contributes more than 11 per cent to the total employment in the state. IATO’s platform has proved to be a good one to engage and interact, and we are hopeful of hosting the convention in West Bengal again in the next five years,” he said.
On the occasion, IATO also released a film on women’s safety and security in India, which the association will use in highlighting how safe India is for female tourists, in the global market and during its roadshows abroad.
