The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) successfully concluded its landmark 40th Annual Convention in Puri, Odisha, from August 22 to 25, 2025, bringing together over 1,100 delegates from across India and overseas. Held at the scenic Swosti Premium Beach Resorts, the convention carried the theme “Rejuvenate Inbound @2030: IATO’s Vision for a Resurgent India” and reinforced the association’s pivotal role in driving India’s inbound tourism towards sustained growth and global competitiveness.

The convention was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, alongside Additional Secretary and DG, Tourism, Suman Billa, and Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida. Their collective message was clear: India must prioritise inbound tourism by focusing on product innovation, robust policy support, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Odisha Tourism, as the host state, seized the opportunity to showcase its vast cultural and coastal assets, positioning itself as a premier year-round destination that blends spirituality, heritage, and natural beauty.

Across three days, the convention combined high-level policy dialogues, state presentations, business sessions, and a bustling B2B tourism mart, providing a vital platform for stakeholders to network and forge partnerships. The launch of the IATO Manual 2025 and the conferment of the Hall of Fame Award to Immediate Past President Pronab Sarkar were among the convention’s key milestones. Odisha added to the vibrancy of the event with immersive cultural evenings and an ambitious vision for destination development, highlighting Puri’s unique positioning as both a beach and pilgrimage hub, supported by expanded hospitality infrastructure and eco-tourism initiatives.

The convention’s knowledge sessions provided delegates with a mix of strategic and practical insights. Discussions on closing the inbound gap highlighted the pressing need to address the disparity between India’s nearly 28 million outbound travelers and the 20 million inbound visitors. Meanwhile, the session on innovative products and immersive journeys, led by Shoba Rudra of RARE India, emphasised the importance of authentic, research-driven, and community-integrated experiences. Equally forward-looking was the session on technology in tourism, where speakers explored how artificial intelligence and automation could empower even smaller operators to scale up, personalise services, and reach global markets more efficiently.

Odisha’s leaders utilised the platform to reinforce the state’s ambitions in tourism, advocating for streamlined central clearances, expedited project approvals, and increased private sector participation. By positioning itself as a destination where culture meets coast, Odisha signalled its intent to become a tourism powerhouse capable of competing with India’s more established circuits. The traditional IATO Run for Responsible Tourism once again underscored the industry’s commitment to sustainability, community benefit, and conservation, reminding delegates that growth must be aligned with responsibility.

This year’s convention also marked the first under IATO’s newly elected leadership team for 2025–27, led by President Ravi Gosain, Senior Vice President Rajnish Kaistha, Vice President Sanjay Razdan, Honorary Secretary Sunil Mishra, Honorary Treasurer Deepak Bhatnagar, and Honorary Joint Secretary Viney Tyagi. Their mandate, focusing on digital transformation, inbound market expansion, and stronger partnerships with state governments, set the tone for a decisive period in the association’s history.

The valedictory session, addressed by Odisha’s Law, Works and Excise Minister, Prithviraj Harichandan, celebrated the success of the convention while reiterating the state’s ambitions to grow beyond pilgrimage tourism and establish itself as a holistic destination. The announcement of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, as the host city for the 41st IATO Convention in 2026 added to the excitement, ensuring momentum continues into the following year.

The 40th IATO Convention in Puri was more than an annual gathering; it was a rallying call for the industry to unite in its vision for 2030. Delegates left with a renewed commitment to accelerate clearances, innovate products, harness digital demand, and deepen community engagement, laying the groundwork for India to secure its rightful place as a global tourism leader.

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