It would be right to call him ‘media-shy’, not because he doesn’t believe in giving interviews, but because he doesn’t like blowing his own trumpet, and if one were to take all that he has done in the last three years into account, trust me, there would be a lot to ‘shout about’. Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO is a stalwart in his own right and aptly deserves the adulation he gets in the industry. You wouldn’t find anyone bad-mouthing him ever and there is none in the industry who holds a grudge against him. His sharp sense of judgement and quick turnaround time for any problem has made him the ‘voice’ of the travel fraternity. On a nice sunny afternoon, he gives in to our requests and sit down for a brief chat with us on the progress IATO has made in the last few years and the future of the association.
Priyanka Saxena and Arushi Bajaj
Indian Association of Tour Operators is an apex body of tourism fraternity that swears by its initiatives, which aspire to revolutionise the way tourism operates in India. We are all acquainted with the statistics that tourism contributes massively to the country’s GDP and it will continue to do so in all the years to come. But there is a lot more that this travel fraternity goes through in the process of attracting more inbound tourists. From Demonetisation to GST, the industry has to be heard at every issue and the body that makes it happen is IATO. Thus as the President of such an important industry, Pronab Sarkar shoulders a massive responsibility – one that he has been fulfilling with grace for last 3 years.
Ministry of Tourism (MoT) lends unending support to IATO
The proactive Minister, a passionate team and their zealous approach towards uplifting the tourism industry – Mr. Sarkar terms the MoT as the backbone of IATO. He emphasises on the fact that officials in the ministry, irrespective of their designation, are always on forefront to help IATO resolve an issue or take initiative to up the inbound figure. “Be it the smoothing of the process of arrivals at the airport, increasing the marketing budget for international Marketing from Rs. 300 Cr to Rs. 600 Cr or help organise the International Tourism Mart in September 2018, Smt. Rashmi Verma, the former Secretary, MoT, contributed immensely towards uplifting tourism in our country,” shared Mr. Sarkar. The International Tourism Mart will now be made into an annual event.
IATO as an advocate
IATO never shies away from being the voice of crucial aspects that might flourish or hinder its seamless functioning. Mr. Sarkar states that they had written and sought help from the Finance Ministry and MoT on issues such as the reduction of GST, bringing the E-Visa charges down, help solve the transport strike, increase funds for MDA scheme, help resolve the guide issues, improve infrastructure at ASI monuments, etc., and the Ministry was extremely forthcoming on the subjects. “During Demonetisation, I sought an appointment with MoT and within six hours the monument fees was brought under the ‘essential services’ and old notes were made acceptable. The Ministries were helpful but we also ensured that the tourists were not harassed because of the move. I also introduced and sought clearance for Cruise Visa and now IATO and ICPB are collective working towards approval of Conference Visa, which also should be cleared soon,” he shared.
The ‘need’ for IATO Convention
IATO Convention is a looked forward to event for the members of the association. Its’ one function that unites the membership and makes them bond with one another. “Discussions take place, new rules and policies are decided upon, brainstorming on new ideas happen and everyone takes part enthusiastically in it. The various states are also excited to host the IATO Convention as it increases the traffic to that state and also the various tour operators, who take post-convention tours etc., get a better insight into the destination. It’s a very positive exercise, he feels.
IATO, 5 years from now
Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), as it is today, is an association where ‘conflicts’ are never personal but issue-based. “The entire EC aims to serve the membership and not work for personal growth or wealth. The interest for our members come first and a decorum is maintained at all times. IATO is the voice of its members, of the travel fraternity – tour operators and service providers and five years from now I see it continuing to be that only. It will address trade related issues and service the industry – just like it is doing at present,” he concludes.
