IATO Annual Convention in Bhopal from August 30

To highlight the initiatives of the 39th IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) Annual Convention, scheduled to take place between August 30 and September 2, 2024 in Bhopal, a curtain-raiser event was held in New Delhi on July 24. With the participation of 1,000 delegates including stakeholders, TAs-TOs and other dignitaries from all over the country, the expectation is a surge in the number of domestic and foreign tourists arriving in Madhya Pradesh. It will also help local tourism and allied activities of the state.

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the IATO Annual Convention on August 30, 2024, at Taj Lakefront as shared by Principal Secretary Culture and Tourism and Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla during the event at The Lalit, New Delhi. The theme of the Convention is “Resurgent India Inbound”.

Speaking on the occasion, Shukla highlighted the state's tourism offerings inlcuding the state being an offbeat multispecialty destination and first choice for many travellers. A total of 112.1 million tourists visited the state in 2023, up from 34.1 million in 2022. Deep spiritual and religious tourism experiences are also increasingly popular in Madhya Pradesh, he shared, adding that IATO will serve as a perfect platform to discover the state's hidden gems and develop new tour itineraries, particularly focusing on spiritual and heritage destinations.

Additional Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Bidisha Mukherjee said that Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is planning 10 post-convention FAM tours during the IATO convention to showcase and promote vivid facets of the state by providing first-hand experience for TA-TOs. Heritage walks and IATO Run for Responsible Tourism around Bhopal to bring offbeat destinations to the limelight. The Managing Director MPSTDC Dr Ilayaraja T, President IATO Rajiv Mehra, Vice President IATO Ravi Gosain and Chairman IATO Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Chapter Mahendra Pratap Singh, and other delegates attended the curtain-raiser.