The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) outlined an aggressive road map spanning international roadshows, major policy interventions, and upcoming landmark conventions at an interactive luncheon meeting on 8 July.
Presided over by Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, the association highlighted its stellar track record over the past couple of months, revealing an impressive 99% resolution rate for its member grievances, ranging from ongoing visa friction to resolving instances of hotels bouncing operator bookings in favour of wedding events.
Unveiling the Global Road map for 2026–27
Ravi Gosain confirmed that despite a lack of direct financial marketing budgets from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), IATO is forging ahead with its ambitious Namaste India Roadshows. Following an interaction with Bhuvnesh Kumar, Tourism Secretary, MoT has officially dispatched letters to all state secretaries and global embassies to provide comprehensive support for IATO’s roadshows.
IATO’s upcoming plan includes extensive marketing blitzes across ASEAN nations, France, Switzerland, Ireland, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Spain, and China.
Pivoting from traditional practices where only DMCs participated, IATO’s recent and upcoming roadshows integrate diverse Indian travel trade partners, like Air India, luxury trains, and premier hotel brands to attract new buyers to the fold.
Visakhapatnam Welcomes the 41st IATO Convention
The focal point of IATO’s near-term vision remains its highly anticipated 41st Annual Convention, scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh, from 10–13 September, 2026.
”Andhra Pradesh is a state with massive, untapped tourism potential,” noted Gosain, sharing insights from a recent meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu. “The CM explicitly told us that the IT boom is settled; his core focus now shifts to tourism. IATO is proudly steering that momentum.”
A special delegation from Rajasthan attended the meeting and promoted the upcoming roadshows in the state and invited travel trade partners to be a part of the events.
Shreya Bansal is a reporter at TravTalk India, covering the travel and tourism industry. She brings a keen eye for emerging trends, trade developments, and the stories shaping the travel landscape. Through in-depth reporting and on-ground insights, she connects industry stakeholders with news that matters. Beyond travel, Shreya has a growing interest in the premium lifestyle space, particularly the world of fine jewellery and is eager to explore the craftsmanship, culture, and commerce that define luxury living.