TravTalk India Online Magazine
The 39th IATO Annual Convention, held recently in Bhopal, witnessed record-breaking attendance of more than 1,200 delegates, who enjoyed the charm of destinations in and around the city. After successful organisation of this year’s convention, the association’s focus now shifts to Puri in Odisha for next year’s convention.
Janice Alyosius
The 39th IATO Annual Convention, held in Bhopal from 29 August to 2 September, proved to be a standout event, with more than 1,200 delegates attending the event. Sharing his views on the convention, which mainly aimed to promote Madhya Pradesh as a tourism destination, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “This overwhelming response was unexpected. I would have been happy with 1,000 delegates, but this is a record number. Enthusiasm among the attendees was evident, with many experiencing Bhopal for the first time. They never expected Bhopal to be such a nice, clean city. The first impression has been excellent.”
This year’s convention saw record-breaking attendance, with over 1,200 delegates, including invitees, speakers, and their spouses. The convention featured 10 familiarisation trips, engaging approximately 325 delegates, who were taken to various tourism sites in and around Bhopal to get first-hand experiences. The IATO President assured the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh about the convention’s benefits, which, he said, would become visible within six to eight months. Mehra also highlighted the initiatives announced by the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). “I am grateful to Puneet Chhatwal for making those announcements. It was a very kind gesture from IHCL. With these incentives, we will be able to attract clients to this segment of hotels.”
IHCL has announced five new initiatives to bolster the hospitality sector, which include increase in commissions for agents from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent, inclusion of breakfast in hotel rates, permission to cancel FITs in business hotels with 48-hour notice, and in leisure and palace hotels with 7-day notice, and exclusive travel discount for IATO members. Mehra said that the initiatives like including breakfast in hotel rates would enhance tourism and drive more business to India. Mehra also spoke about the synergy between the hospitality and tourism sectors. “I am already contracting with about 13 hotel chains and individual hotels. I am hopeful that this will yield positive results in the long run,” he said, emphasising that the evolving partnership between hotels and tour operators is crucial to generating business.The convention also set the stage for next year’s IATO convention. “The convention will take place at the newly opened Swosti Premium Beach Resorts Puri. The dates will be decided in the next couple of months,” Mehra said.
Informing about their new luxury hotel in Puri, JK Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group, said, “Our new high-rise property in Puri, the first of its kind approved by the government, offers stunning sea views from every room and sets a new standard with its five-star amenities. From the elegant lobby to the beach hut and infinite swimming pool, this property is poised to be a game-changer in the hospitality business at Puri.”
