Every IATO Convention carries its own personality, shaped by the destination that hosts it and the people who build it from the ground up.
Tripti Jain
As Visakhapatnam prepares to welcome India’s inbound tourism fraternity for the 2026 edition, the Executive Committee members steering the event share what delegates can expect this time around. This year’s convention is meant to open doors, spark itineraries, and leave Andhra Pradesh firmly on the international travel map. From the energy of the Travel Mart to the discipline behind VIP logistics, from post-convention tours along the Buddhist and coastal circuits to a 13-year-old wellness tradition that has become an IATO signature, the conversations below capture the spirit driving this year’s gathering.
Platform built for new beginnings
Harish Mathur shares it as a genuine turning point for how the trade sees Andhra Pradesh. “An IATO Convention is ultimately about creating meaningful business opportunities for our members, and Vizag offers the right platform to achieve that,” he says, pointing to the state’s growing tourism potential, strong connectivity, and diverse mix of coastal, Buddhist, cultural, and experiential products as reasons the destination is ready for its moment in front of the inbound trade.
He views the convention as a chance for members to discover new products, connect with local stakeholders, and identify circuits worth taking to international markets. For him, the real test of success will play out well beyond the closing ceremony, measured in the partnerships, itineraries, and business opportunities that continue to surface long after delegates have returned home.
A destination on the rise
Convention host cities rarely stay the same after IATO comes to town, and Tony Marwah is quick to point to the pattern. He shares, “Historically, every destination that hosts IATO Convention sees an increase of about 20 per cent if not more post it. B2B networking is excellent since there is a mix of tour operators, travel agents, airlines, hotels etc. New circuits in the venue state are shared and partnerships forged. The convention’s panel discussions are built to be knowledge-driven, giving delegates real product understanding and a clearer view of where the business is heading. Newcomers walk away with product knowledge, seasoned operators walk away with fresh circuits to sell, and everyone leaves with a sharper read on where the industry is trending.”
Marketplace of ideas
If there is one space at the convention where opportunity is most visible, it is the Travel Mart, and Manoj Kumar Matta describes it as the beating heart of the event. He explains, “The Travel Mart shall emerge as one of the most vibrant and opportunity-rich spaces of the convention, offering delegates a comprehensive view of India’s tourism landscape in a single, curated environment. Dedicated booths from State Tourism Departments and industry stakeholders will give members direct access to new products, emerging circuits, and experiential offerings taking shape across the country, creating a marketplace where collaboration meets innovation.”
He also points to the digital groundwork laid well before the convention doors open. Coordinated social media campaigns, real-time registration updates, and a livestream of the full event have kept the wider IATO community engaged from the moment dates were announced. Daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and full Facebook coverage during the event itself will extend the convention’s reach well beyond the venue walls.
More than business cards
For Sejoe Jose, the real measure of a good convention lies in what members carry back to their desks. “I think members should come away from the convention with much more than just a collection of business cards. The biggest tangible outcome should be new ideas, new knowledge and new opportunities that can be converted into business. Conversations with local operators, hoteliers, and tourism officials often plant the seed for a new itinerary or a fresh way to present a destination to international travellers, and it is these small sparks, that eventually grow into genuine partnerships and sellable products.”
Moving delegates, seamlessly
Behind every successful convention sits a logistics operation that delegates rarely see but always feel, and the team IATO has built a robust one for Vizag. Rishi Kapoor shares, “This year we have a dedicated team of total of 9 experienced EC members and members of IATO who will be overseeing the smooth functioning of TPT services in Visakhapatnam for all attendees. With a purpose-built software solution developed to help the secretariat collate delegate information for smoother transport coordination, with Arnav Travels appointed as the local partner managing vehicles and on-ground teams across key locations.”
He is equally excited about what happens after the main convention wraps up. Six post-convention tours and two spouse tours have been curated to spotlight Andhra Pradesh’s coastal circuit, Buddhist heritage, nature and eco-tourism, and experiential offerings, giving delegates a firsthand feel for products they can later pitch to partners in both domestic and international markets.
A warm welcome, by design
First impressions matter enormously at an event of this scale, and Ashok Dhoot has made VIP hospitality his personal mission as Head of the IATO VIP and Reception Committee. “I have personally coordinated and completed all necessary arrangements for the smooth arrival, reception, check-in, registration, and departure of all VIPs and invited guests. Arrival and departure details for every VIP have been mapped in advance, with Senior EC Members assigned to receive guests at the airport, and local Chapter Chairmen stepping in to welcome representatives from State Tourism Boards. Coordination with the host hotel ensures that check-in and registration flow smoothly the moment guests step through the door, delivering the seamless hospitality experience IATO has become known for,” he says.
Vizag as a live business laboratory
- Vijayasarathy sees enormous potential in treating the convention as an active testing ground for new products rather than a purely ceremonial gathering. “The convention can become a live business laboratory for Vizag and Andhra Pradesh. The destination workshops and familiarisation visits can help members work directly with local hotels, attractions, DMCs, and tourism authorities to build market-ready itineraries. A suggested six-night route covering Vizag’s Buddhist heritage, coastal beauty, and wellness offerings could be refined during the convention itself and packaged for markets including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, and Southeast Asia.”
Running for a cause
Somewhere between the boardrooms and the Travel Mart booths, one tradition has quietly become part of IATO’s identity, and Wasim Shaikh has nurtured it since day one. “The IATO Run was born with a very simple idea back in 2012 at the IATO Convention, Mumbai, to bring the focus back to health. Now heading into its 13th edition in Vizag, the Run has evolved over the last four years into a Green initiative, with every participant taking a pledge toward environmental responsibility and women’s empowerment.”
His message to delegates ahead of the Vizag edition is simple: show up and participate. Carrying the spirit forward through sustainable choices during the convention, avoiding single-use plastic, and embracing the pledge on Run day all send a powerful signal about the values of the fraternity, making the 13th edition an opportunity to set a new benchmark for participation.
Setting the stage for Vizag
These conversations reveal a convention built with intent at every layer. The Travel Mart is designed to spark real products, the panel discussions to sharpen industry knowledge, the logistics to run without friction, and the reception to make every guest feel genuinely welcomed. Andhra Pradesh stands ready to be more than a backdrop, positioned instead as a destination whose circuits, culture, and coastline are about to be discovered afresh by delegates from across the country and beyond.
