The countdown has begun for the 41st IATO Annual Convention, and this time the coastal city of Visakhapatnam is more than just a host destination. It is being positioned as the launchpad for a much larger story, one that ties together government priorities, industry ambition and a state eager to showcase what it has to offer.
Tripti Jain
Under the theme ‘India: The World’s Next Tourism Opportunity,’ the convention is shaping up to be equal parts business summit, knowledge exchange and celebration of Andhra Pradesh’s untapped travel potential. For an association as large and influential as the Indian Association of Tour Operators, pulling off an event of this scale takes months of planning across multiple fronts, from delegate logistics to destination storytelling.
A campaign for the masses
IATO’s office bearers shares their vision for the convention, and their responses paint a picture of an organisation determined to make this edition count well beyond its three days on the calendar.
Rajnish Kaistha, Senior Vice President of IATO, believes the convention needs to be treated as a sustained marketing exercise rather than a one-time gathering. Speaking about the approach IATO is taking this year, he explains, “The association is building a 360-degree communication campaign around the event, one that runs before, during and after the three days in Visakhapatnam, using IATO’s digital platforms, social media, a dedicated convention app and a steady stream of destination stories to keep the momentum going. The Indian Tourism Fair on 11th and 12th September will be a genuine business marketplace where states, hotels, DMCs and airlines can announce partnerships and generate real B2B leads, and a ‘post convention bank’ of content so that the convention markets Indian tourism for the next twelve months rather than for just four days.”
Delegate experience takes centre stage
Behind every successful convention lies a mountain of logistical planning, and Sanjay Razdan, Vice President of IATO, has been closely involved in ensuring that this machinery runs without a hitch. He describes, “The effort is a collective one, with coordination, attention to detail and contingency planning forming the backbone of the organising process, starting from choosing the right speakers to curating value-added business and knowledge sessions, these remain some of the most important pieces of the puzzle. My goal for delegates is simple: they should be free to focus on networking, learning and exploring Visakhapatnam, while the Secretariat handles everything from registrations and transfers to cultural programmes behind the scenes.”
He also shares a preview of the entertainment line-up, which promises to be a highlight in its own right. Delegates can look forward to Sufi band Dastaan setting the tone at the inaugural evening on 10th September, followed by the ever-popular ‘IATO Got Talent’ karaoke competition on 11th September, where fifteen IATO members will take the stage before a DJ and percussionist take over. The 12th September brings a lighter touch with a mentalist and
stand-up comedian in the afternoon, followed by an evening with retro Bollywood band Crooners Collective, rounding off a convention designed to blend business with genuine celebration.
Turning discussion into direction
Sunil Mishra, Honorary Secretary of IATO, framed the convention’s purpose in terms of measurable outcomes for inbound tourism. He shares, “We want the government and industry leaders to walk away with clear priorities around international promotion, easier access, better connectivity, competitive taxation and stronger product innovation, alongside a sharper understanding of what today’s international traveller expects. New itineraries built around Andhra Pradesh and other lesser-known regions are high on our wish list, and the success should ultimately look like: stronger collaboration, new partnerships and tourism business that can be tracked long after the delegates have flown home.”
Smooth skies and strong numbers
Registrations are often the first real indicator of how a convention will land, and Deepak Bhatnagar, Honorary Treasurer of IATO, has reason to feel optimistic. He shares, “The very first day of registrations brought in over 100 sign-ups, a strong start that has the association hopeful of surpassing last year’s numbers. On the logistics front, IATO has negotiated favourable air fares with IndiGo and secured a reasonably good offer from Air India, moves aimed squarely at making travel to Visakhapatnam as convenient as possible for members. With the city’s new airport now operational, adequate transportation has been arranged to move delegates smoothly from the airport to their hotels, removing one more layer of friction from the overall experience.”
Building itineraries that outlast the event
Viney Tyagi, Honorary Joint Secretary of IATO, brings a historical perspective to the conversation, drawing on how past conventions have reshaped the destinations that hosted them. He recalls, “I remember the Bhubaneswar convention of 2017 and the earlier Visakhapatnam edition in 2018 led IATO members to jointly develop new and innovative itineraries across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, creating lasting partnerships between pan-India tour operators and local stakeholders. Building on that legacy, and following the momentum of the 2025 Puri convention, this year’s edition in Visakhapatnam will open up even better opportunities for members, supported by post-convention familiarisation tours designed to give tour operators firsthand knowledge of the state’s emerging tourism products.”
He also spoke about the tangible value the business and educational sessions bring, particularly for newer tourism entrepreneurs looking to understand emerging markets and the vast potential of Southern India. Fresh contacts, sharper product knowledge and renewed confidence to sell India internationally are, in his view, the real currency delegates should take home.
Building a bridge to the world
Rajiv Mehra, Immediate Past President of IATO, describes the 41st Convention as far more than an industry gathering, calling it an opportunity to showcase Andhra Pradesh as one of
India’s most promising tourism destinations. He shares, “We are working closely with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the State Tourism Department and a wide network of local stakeholders, hotels, tour operators and transport providers to ensure delegates experience the state’s hospitality first-hand, taking the convention beyond the conference venue to create a comprehensive destination experience. Visakhapatnam’s beaches, hills, heritage attractions, Buddhist sites, tribal culture, cuisine and modern hospitality infrastructure are an ideal combination for both leisure and business tourism, B2B networking, destination presentations and exposure visits will create direct business linkages between local stakeholders and tour operators from across the country. Andhra cuisine’s distinctive blend of spice, freshness and regional ingredients, from rice-based specialties and chutneys to the coastal seafood traditions drawn from the Bay of Bengal, would leave with more than photographs, carrying instead a genuine taste of the state’s culture and cuisine along with the confidence to package Andhra Pradesh for their own clients.”
Convention built to travel beyond its dates
The vision laid out by IATO’s leadership signals an association thinking well beyond the confines of a three-day event. From a content strategy designed to keep the destination visible all year round, to airfare negotiations that ease the path for delegates, to an entertainment calendar built for genuine bonding, every piece has been assembled with intent. Andhra Pradesh, with its coastline, tribal experiences and heritage sites waiting to be explored through familiarisation tours to Araku Valley, Kakinada, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada, stands to gain a spotlight that could shape its tourism trajectory for years to come.
