As the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) gears up for its 40th Annual Convention in Puri, the event carries special significance for the association’s President, who will be presiding over his first convention since taking office. In this candid conversation with BOTT, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO shares his emotions, expectations, priorities, and strategies to strengthen India’s inbound tourism sector.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
Q. This is your first convention as President of IATO. What emotions, expectations, and priorities define this moment for you personally and professionally?
As I step into my first convention as IATO President, I feel a deep sense of pride, responsibility, and optimism. Personally, it’s a milestone moment; professionally, it’s an opportunity to set a progressive tone. My priority is to strengthen member engagement, foster innovation in inbound tourism, and ensure this convention becomes a platform for transformative collaboration and growth.
Q. What will be the key differentiators of this year’s convention in Puri?
The key differentiators will include a well-appointed inaugural session, strategic business sessions, presentations by 17 state governments highlighting new destinations, tourism sites, and policies on infrastructure and connectivity, a dedicated session on Odisha Tourism, post tours by leading tour operators to Odisha’s key sites, evening entertainment, the IATO Run for Sustainable Tourism, and a memorable valedictory session.
Q. Inbound tourism is yet to reach pre-COVID levels. What concrete steps is IATO taking under your leadership?
We are addressing policymakers on key issues, increasing member engagement, forming sub-committees across diverse segments, and maintaining constant networking with state governments.
Q. Critics have said IATO needs a more aggressive global marketing voice. How do you plan to reposition India’s inbound strategy internationally?
The marketing voice must be supported by government policies and our nodal ministry. Budget allocations have dampened aggression. Our plan is to seek requisite support from the Government and Ministry of Tourism and explore supplementing this with our own resources, backed by membership contributions.
Q. Your top three goals for IATO, and how does this convention align with them?
My goals are:
• Focus on marketing and promotion while pursuing government support.
• Enhance member engagement.
• Document and present members’ concerns to policymakers, ensuring follow-up.
This convention aligns with all three.
Q. With multiple stakeholders in inbound tourism, how will you unify them?
Collaboration is key. We are engaging central and state governments, airlines, hospitality players, and the travel trade through joint initiatives, dialogues, and advocacy. The convention itself is a convergence point, fostering synergy and unified progress.
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