The Indian Association of Tour Operators is gearing up for its 41st Annual Convention, and this edition promises to be a defining chapter for inbound tourism. Ahead of the Convention, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO shares his vision for what delegates can expect, what the state stands to gain, and how IATO plans to turn dialogue into tangible business outcomes.
Tripti Jain
Set against the coastal charm of Visakhapatnam, the Convention carries a theme that captures the mood of the industry today: ‘India: The World’s Next Tourism Opportunity.’ Ravi Gosain speaks with quiet conviction about why this is the moment for India to dream bigger, and why Andhra Pradesh is the perfect stage for that conversation to unfold.
The opportunity knocking
Every great opportunity arrives with a sense of timing, and he believes India’s moment has arrived. Culture, heritage, wellness, spirituality, wildlife, cuisine and adventure already exist in abundance across the country, yet global arrival numbers have not caught up with that promise. Explaining the thinking behind this year’s theme, Ravi Gosain says, “We chose ‘India: The World’s Next Tourism Opportunity’ because I strongly believe the time has come for India to think much bigger about inbound tourism… Yet our share of global international tourist arrivals is still not commensurate with our potential.”
The Convention, in his vision, becomes a launchpad for asking sharper questions about international promotion, easier access, stronger connectivity and closer coordination between government and industry, so that India’s natural advantages finally translate into visible, measurable growth.
Beyond the beaten trail
Taking the Convention outside the usual metro circuit has always been part of IATO’s larger design, and Visakhapatnam fits that purpose beautifully. Coastal beauty, Buddhist heritage, tribal culture and regional cuisine sit waiting to be woven into international itineraries, often overlooked simply because they have not yet found their place in mainstream programmes. Ravi Gosain frames this as a discovery mission for the very people who build India’s global image. “Visakhapatnam and Andhra Pradesh have much more to offer than what is currently visible in mainstream inbound programmes. We want our delegates to experience the coastline, Buddhist heritage, tribal culture, cuisine, nature and the wider tourism possibilities around Visakhapatnam,” he shares.
For him, the true measure of success lies in delegates returning home with genuinely new products rather than only pleasant memories, ready to place Andhra Pradesh on the international map.
From talk to trade
A convention earns its worth long after the closing ceremony, once ideas begin translating into itineraries and bookings. He is emphatic that Visakhapatnam should mark the beginning of a new business chapter for Andhra Pradesh rather than a one-time showcase. Structured B2B meetings between delegates and local travel agents have been built into the agenda specifically to make that happen. “We are bringing together tour operators, tourism stakeholders, hotels, transporters, state tourism representatives and other industry partners. This creates an excellent platform for Andhra Pradesh to engage directly with the people who sell India overseas,” he explains, adding that familiarisation remains equally central to the plan. Once operators witness connectivity, infrastructure and ground logistics firsthand, confidence naturally follows, paving the way for new circuits built around beaches, heritage, nature and Buddhist trails.
Business, front and centre
For delegates travelling to Visakhapatnam, the promise extends well beyond networking dinners and photo opportunities. Ravi Gosain wants this Convention to address the everyday challenges that inbound operators actually grapple with, from regaining India’s competitive edge on the world stage to embracing technology and artificial intelligence as tools for growth. “This year we want the discussions to address the real business issues confronting inbound tour operators – how India can regain competitiveness, how technology and AI are changing our businesses, how we unlock India’s tourism potential, and how we develop new tourism products and experiences,” he says.
Alongside these conversations, first-hand exposure to Andhra Pradesh’s offerings gives operators fresh material to bring back to their international clients, turning the trip itself into a working showcase.
New voices, new vision
Every edition of the Convention carries its own signature, and this year’s edition leans firmly toward outcomes over optics. Sessions have been redesigned to be sharper, more interactive and closely tied to real business impact, with dedicated B2B interactions featuring local stakeholders introduced as a new feature altogether. Ravi Gosain highlights subjects that will shape the coming decade of Indian tourism, from digital transformation and international marketing to sustainable practices and evolving traveller behaviour. Equally close to his heart is the inclusion of younger professionals in shaping the industry’s direction. “We also want to create stronger opportunities for younger members and the next generation of tourism professionals to participate in the conversation, because they will play an important role in shaping the future of IATO and the industry,” he notes.
His ambition reaches beyond the Convention hall itself, with plans to carry forward the recommendations generated in Visakhapatnam directly to government and industry stakeholders throughout the year.
The tide ahead
Visakhapatnam is set to host far more than a gathering of tourism professionals this season. It stands poised to become the setting where India’s next tourism story begins to take shape, one built on genuine collaboration, fresh destinations and a shared belief in the country’s untapped potential. Ravi Gosain’s vision threads together every element of the Convention, from the choice of theme to the structure of sessions, toward a single ambition: transforming India’s vast tourism promise into visible growth on the global stage. As delegates prepare to converge on this coastal city, the 41st IATO Convention carries the energy of an industry ready to think bolder, act faster and sell India’s story to the world with renewed confidence.
