A curtain-raiser event was held in New Delhi on July 23 2024 to highlight the initiatives of the 39th IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) Annual Convention, which is scheduled to take place 30th August to 2nd September 2024 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. With the participation of 1000 delegates including stakeholders, TA-TOs and other dignitaries in this convention from all over the country, the expectation is a surge in the number of domestic and foreign tourists arriving in Madhya Pradesh, it will surely help local tourism and allied activities of the state.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the IATO Annual Convention on 30th August 2024 at Taj Lakefront as told by Principal Secretary Culture and Tourism and Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla during the event at The Lalit, New Delhi. The theme of the convention is “Resurgent India Inbound”.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and many state tourism departments will participate in the convention. Mr. Rajendra Shukla Deputy Chief Minister, and Mr. Jagdish Devda, Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi Minister of State (Independent Charge) Culture, Tourism, Religious Trust and Endowment Madhya Pradesh will mark the event with their auspicious presence. Madhya Pradesh is home to 12 national parks, 25 sanctuaries, 7 tiger reserves, and 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (11 tentative and 3 permanent sites). The aim is to further boost awareness of current tourist attractions & curate new experiences and unexplored destinations through channel partners in international markets through the IATO convention.

Principal Secretary Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla said Madhya Pradesh is all set to host the 39th IATO Convention in Bhopal and highlight the state’s tourism offerings. Madhya Pradesh is an offbeat multispecialty destination of first choice for many travellers. 112.1 million tourists visited the state in 2023, up from 34.1 million in 2022. Deep spiritual and religious tourism experiences are also increasingly popular in Madhya Pradesh. IATO will be a platform to discover the state’s hidden gems and develop new tour itineraries, particularly focusing on spiritual and heritage destinations.

Run for Responsible Tourism on 1st Sep

Additional Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Ms Bidisha Mukherjee said that Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is planning 10 post-convention FAM tours during the IATO convention to showcase and promote vivid facets of the state by providing first-hand experience for TA-TOs. Heritage walks and IATO Run for Responsible Tourism around Bhopal to bring offbeat destinations to the limelight. The Managing Director MPSTDC Mr Ilayaraja T, President IATO Mr Rajiv Mehra, Vice President IATO Mr Ravi Gosain, and Chairman IATO Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh Chapter Mr Mahendra Pratap Singh, and other delegates also attended the curtain raiser.