The 40th Annual Convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) was kicked off at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts here on Friday, marking a landmark occasion for the State and the Indian tourism industry at large. Union Minister of Culture & Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the four-day convention which will conclude on 25th August.
Additional Secretary & DG Tourism, Government of India Suman Billa and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, Government of Odisha Balwant Singh were also present.
With the theme “Rejuvenate Inbound @2030,” the convention has brought together nearly 1,000 delegates comprising national and international tour operators, tourism professionals, investors, and media representatives. It aims to serve as a dynamic platform for dialogue, policy discussions, and business networking, with the collective objective of shaping a renewed vision for inbound tourism in the coming decade.
Discussions on the future of inbound tourism, revitalising brand India, sustainable tourism, immersive travel, and emerging opportunities such as cruise tourism, film tourism, and MICE will be held. Key sessions feature senior policymakers, state tourism leaders, and industry experts.
A dedicated session will showcase Odisha’s diverse offerings—spanning heritage, eco, coastal, and spiritual tourismand present the State’s forward-looking strategies under Vision 2036 and Vision 2047.
Delegates will embark on curated itineraries across Odisha to experience its cultural landmarks, natural landscapes, tribal traditions, and eco-tourism assets firsthand. By hosting this milestone convention, Odisha not only reaffirms its commitment to making tourism a driver of economic growth, cultural preservation, and livelihood generation, but also positions itself as a rising hub in the global tourism landscape. Through this collaboration with IATO, Odisha Tourism envisions stronger partnerships with tour operators, deeper engagement with stakeholders, and a more prominent place for the State on the world tourism map.
