IATO’s 40th Annual Convention Opens in Puri

IATO’s 40^th annual convention was inaugurated today at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts, Puri, with more than 1,200 delegates expected from across the country.

The ceremony began with a traditional lamp‑lighting ceremony, graced by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Government of India; Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha; Suman Billa, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism; Neelu Sharma, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tourism; Ravi Gosain, President, IATO; Rajiv Mehra, Immediate Past President, IATO; and JK Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group of Hotels, together with IATO office bearers.

Held under the theme “Rejuvenate Inbound”, the three‑day convention focuses on revitalising inbound tourism to India. Business sessions will feature discussions on key industry challenges and opportunities, with insights from policymakers, experts, and stakeholders.

As part of the programme, the Indian Tourism Fair (Travel Mart) is being hosted on 23–24 August at the convention venue, offering members an opportunity to connect with state tourism boards and stakeholders to foster greater collaboration.

Post‑convention tours across Odisha will showcase the state’s diverse tourism offerings, providing delegates with first‑hand experiences to help promote the destination in domestic and international markets.

Looking ahead, Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Ajay Jain announced that Visakhapatnam will host the 41st IATO Annual Convention in 2026.