Right time to focus on recovery

IATO Executive Committee is all prepped for the convention and believe that the theme of the convention ‘Brand India – Road to Recovery’ is apt at this time, especially when the borders are opening and inbound operators are preparing to be back in business.

Tony Marwah, EC Member, IATO

The road to recovery is a global challenge, be it travel, tour, airlines or the hospitality industry.Brand India must be revived and a message shall be sent that India is ready for tourism. This is an apt time to have this convention, as we must learn to live with COVID. The Annual IATO Convention is a widely recognised and a much-awaited event. Domestic tourism is rocking and we are requesting the government to begin regular international flight operations to give fillip to inbound tourism. The time is not only right but overdue.

Deepak Bhatnagar, EC Member, IATO

Post-pandemic, this theme could be the best. During the pandemic, we showed resilience both in dealing with COVID-19 and to ensure that industry remains togethe. As things seem to be coming in order, we need to go through various business sessions and discussions on strategies that may help the business to recover.  Members are looking forward to attend the convention as they did not meet each other in last 20 months. As lots of changes took place within the industry, the convention will be a good platform to update members.

Dr Manoj Matta, EC Member, IATO

IATO members contribute to around 80 to 90 per cent of the total FOREX generated from tourism. As the govt. has not done anything for the stakeholders despite our repeated requests, we had to take the initiative of rebranding India as a tourist destination. I am sure the government will also follow the path, despite knowing the fact that there will be hardly any business in future. I believe that positivity is missing among members after series of new variants. Through this convention, they will be able to sneak into the way to survive and revive.

Zia Siddiqui, EC Member, IATO

COVID has greatly affected the travel industry. Hence, we shall focus to set all sessions to ensuring safe recovery of tourism. This way, India, as a tourism brand, is established greatly in the new world with new norms. The way domestic tourism is booming, it indicates that INDIA is a safe destination recovering fast. Over 100 million people have been vaccinated and international flights are set to start soon. Hence, associations are organising their conventions, that will give a message to the world that India is safe.

Vijayasarathy, EC Member, IATO

IATO organised several programmes trying to motivate its members during the lockdown. We ensured to hold the convention, once the situation improved, with the theme to highlight India on its tourism recovery. The message to the world being that, most of our members and citizens are vaccinated and India is safe to travel and we are ready to welcome our guests. The highlight of the convention is ‘Destination Gujarat’, an interesting place for the travellers to explore.

Inputs by TT Bureau