TravTalk India Online Magazine
An IATO delegation, led by Ravi Gosain, the National President, recently met with the Maharashtra Chapter members in Mumbai. The interactive session focused on key issues, such as the availability of tourist guides and rising hotel costs, while also outlining IATO’s forward-looking plans, including a comprehensive AI training programme.
Hazel Jain
In a bid to foster closer ties with its members across the country, Ravi Gosain, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), along with three other officebearers, met with the Maharashtra Chapter in Mumbai to discuss pressing challenges and share updates from the Ministry of Tourism.
“We as the national team want to interact with all our chapters — this is the third in a row after Kashmir and Andamans, and now Maharashtra,” Gosain stated. “We want to make our members in Maharashtra aware about what is happening in inbound tourism on the national level. Also, we want to hear from them about their issues in Maharashtra, or their personal issues doing business. So, we will be catering to all those questions.”
Embracing AI and technology Highlighting a major national initiative, Gosain revealed IATO’s focus on integrating technology into the tourism sector.
“Our convention in Bhubaneswar had a one-hour session on AI specifically. We think it’s a moving forward thing for the tourism business. We are now rolling out our skill training programmes, and AI training is one of them,” he said. “We will roll out an AI programme this month that will travel to different cities in India, including Mumbai. It will be a class room style full-day programme with 40 to 50 members in a batch. We want a comprehensive AI programme, not just an introduction, so that people can really immerse themselves in this.” The session will be led by Rocky Jagtiani, an AI Transformation Coach from Bengaluru who also trains government bodies, IIMs, and IITs.
New routes and inbound potential Commenting on new opportunities, Gosain welcomed the recent launch of a direct flight between New Delhi and Manila. “It will open up a new market for India because when there is a direct flight, the tickets get cheaper. The Philippines is a good market specifically for the Buddhist sector. With this flight, we will have more options to promote India in the Philippines,” he noted. The association is “in discussion with the Union Ministry of Tourism, as well as Air India to organize a joint roadshow in countries where Air India is flying directly. And I think the Philippines will be one of them.”
Challenges ahead
On the rising hotel costs, Gosain said, “India is getting expensive because most of the hotels during winters are busy with Indian weddings. Regarding inbound traffic, Gosain acknowledged a current dip, partly attributing it to a “lack of promotions by the government.” However, he expressed optimism about the Ministry’s renewed efforts.
