LEAD NEWS : THE FOUR DAYS 40TH IATO ANNUAL CONVENTION BEGINS FROM 22 AUGUST 2025 IN PURI, ODISHA , OVER 1000 DELEGATES HAVE PARTICIAPED, UNION TOURISM MINISTER GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT INAUGURATES

TTT NEWS NETWORK

PURI ( ODISHA)| 24 AUGUST 2025

The four  days40^th IATO Annual Convention has started from 22 August 2025 in Puri, Odisha, the holy city of Lord Jagannath.  The theme of the convention is “Rejuvenate Inbound @2030” said Mr. Ravi Gosain, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) while addressing the media in the Press conference held at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts, Puri .

Mr. Gosain  has  further informed that the  Union Minister for Tourism & Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been the Chief Guest for the inaugural function on 22nd August, 2025 at 5 pm at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts. Mrs. Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Government  of Odisha was  the Guest of Honour. Senior officials Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Odisha Tourism  and 17 states are  alsoparticipating in the convention.  Mr. Pranav Prakash, Deputy Director General and Director ( East) of India Tourism Kolkata was also present.

Mr. Ravi Gosain also informed that this is the 3rd time IATO is  going to have the  annual convention in Odisha, which shows the  special interest to promote inbound tourism to Odisha. Odisha has lot to offer in terms of culture, heritage, wildlife, pilgrimage and rural & tribal tourism and we want to promote this in overseas markets through large membership base pan India.

Mr. Sanjay Razdan, Vice President and the Chairman of the Convention informed that Swosti Premium Beach Resorts is the venue hotel and all the activities on all the three days i.e. registration for the convention, inaugural function, business sessions and evening programmes will be held at Swosti Premium Beach Resorts.

Mr. Razdan also informed that we have crossed registration of over 1000 delegates which includes senior govt. officials, tourism stakeholders (tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, tourist transport operators, airlines), expert speakers, travel trade media and their spouses.

Mr. J.K. Mohanty, Chairman – IATO Eastern Region informed that Post the convention, 8 fam tours are being organised on various sectors to explore Odisha and about 250 delegates will proceed for post tours on 25^th August 2025. We want Odisha to be one of the most desirable tourist destination for foreign tourists.

Mr. Viney Tyagi, Hony. Joint Secretary and Co-Chairman of the Convention mentioned that during the 3 days’ convention there will be deliberations on burning issues during the business sessions being finalised and we will have experts in all fields.

Mr. Gagan Sarangi, Chairman IATO Odisha Chapter and Co-Chairman Convention mentioned that to make convention more exiting and create awareness we will have IATO Run for Responsible Tourism on 24^th August 2025 and awards would be given in various categories to the winners and runners up. Also we will have evening entertainment programme on all three days and delegates will enjoy taking time off from their busy schedule.  IATO got talent season 5 – Karaoke Singing Competition will be organised for the delegates on 23^rd August evening.

Mr. Debjit Dutta, Chairman WB  unit of IATO  also gave a colourfull presentation during the event.

During the convention, IATO  has also organised  Indian Tourism Fair (Travel Mart) from 22^nd to 24^th August 2025 at the convention venue, which will give an opportunity for our members to interact with the state tourism department and other stakeholders who are exhibiting to interact with each other and promote tourism, concluded Mr. Sanjay Razdan, Chairman Convention.