Reviving Indian Inbound: IATO’s Grand Convention in Bhopal
Mr. Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, announced that the theme for the 39th IATO Convention will be "Resurgent India Inbound". The said programme shall be held from August 30 to September 2, 2024, in the land of lakes and historic monuments—Bhopal, the heart of Madhya Pradesh.
The Nominations and Election Committee further declared some important appointments for the convention. The current Vice-President, Ravi Gosain, assumed the role of Convention Chairman. Another major announcement was that Sunil Mishra would act as the Honorary Treasurer of IATO, providing further strength to the leadership of IATO. Mahendra Singh, Chairman of the IATO MP & Chhattisgarh Chapter, has assumed the role of Co-Chairmen.
All the activities relating to the convention—from registration to the inaugural function, business sessions, and evening programmes—will be held in the Taj Lakefront in Bhopal. The activities concerning the convention, be it, registration, inauguration function, business sessions, and evening programmes will be held at the Taj Lakefront, Bhopal.
The inauguration of this convention was verbally agreed upon by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on August 30, 2024, informed the President of IATO. Participation in the Convention from Ministry of Tourism Government of India and various state tourism departments is also likely; as many as 15 states are likely to join. More than 900 to 1000 delegates from all over the country will participate, said Ravi Gosain. These would include senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India and different states, industry leaders, tourism and hospitality professionals, and travel trade media representatives. Ten post-convention tours would relocate Madhya Pradesh before the tourism stakeholders in domestic and international markets.
Critical issues will be debated during the business sessions over the three-day event, with experts from various fields, informed Mr Sunil Mishra. Profound discussions will be intermingled with leisure activities, and the convention will also include a run for responsible tourism on September 1 2024, the IATO Run, with awards in different categories. Evening entertainment programmes are slated for all days, allowing delegates some fun time.
IATO is also conducting an Indian Tourism Fair-cum-Travel Mart on August 31 and September 1, 2024, at the Taj Lakefront, Bhopal. This will allow the members to interact with state tourism departments and other stakeholders and open the path for further understanding and promotion of tourism.
