Union Tourism Minister Shekhawat to inaugurate IATO convention in Visakhapatnam tomorrow
Visakhpatnam, Sept 9 (TNT): Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the three-day 41st national convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said on Wednesday.
The convention, themed “India – The World’s Next Tourism Opportunity,” will be held at Novotel, Visakhapatnam, with the aim of showcasing the state’s tourism potential.
Union Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar, senior officials, tour operators and representatives of the tourism industry are expected to attend the event.
More than 1,000 tourism representatives, tour operators, policymakers and industry stakeholders from across the country are expected to participate.
Durgesh said the state government was focusing on responsible and eco-friendly tourism and aimed to promote Andhra Pradesh as a major tourism destination. The convention will highlight the state’s more than 1,000-km coastline, spiritual destinations, Araku Valley, tribal culture, Buddhist heritage and natural attractions.
The Minister said Andhra Pradesh had attracted tourism investments worth Rs 20,000 crore over the past two years. Under the Tourism Policy 2024-29, procedures relating to land allotment, homestays, caravans and bed-and-breakfast facilities had been simplified to encourage private investment.
In Visakhapatnam, 16 tourism projects worth Rs 5,529 crore have been approved, which are expected to add around 950 rooms and generate nearly 10,000 direct jobs, he said the government has set a target of creating 50,000 new rooms across the state by 2029.
The state government has waived the one-time IATO admission fee of Rs 10,000 plus GST for eligible Andhra Pradesh tourism partners until December 31, 2026. The convention registration fee for state representatives has also been reduced to Rs 3,000 from up to Rs 8,500, Durgesh said.
He urged local tour operators and tourism stakeholders to utilise the concessions and enrol through the IATO portal.
Six post-convention tours to major tourist destinations in the state will be organised for IATO members on September 13 to enable them to explore the attractions and develop international tourism packages.
IATO national president Ravi Gosain said the convention would bring the government and tourism industry together to formulate an action plan for promoting Andhra Pradesh.
Discussions would focus on technology, artificial intelligence and changing consumer preferences in tourism, he said.
The IATO Awards and the sixth season of “IATO Got Talent – Karaoke Music Competition” will also be held as part of the convention.
IATO convention chairman Sunil Mishra, senior vice-president Raj Nish Kaista, Sanjay Rajdan, AP Tourism Authority Deputy CEO Srinivas and Chief Marketing Communication Officer Padmarani Seela were present at the press conference.
TNT KM
