IATO Round-Up

Dearth Of Hotel Facilities Tops IATO 2005 Convention’s Agenda

Jyoti Koul - Kochi

The 21st annual convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators(IATO) concluded in Kochi recently, generating great ideas and expectations. Inaugurated by the minister of state for external affairs, E Ahmed, the convention received a good response in terms of the attendance as over 1,000 delegates attended the convention. The three-day event witnessed an array of ministers and industry veterans. Having been held in the city of Kochi first time, the association received support from both the industry and government of Kerala.

Welcoming delegates E M Najeeb, chairman reception committee and chairman IATO Kerala chapter said, “IATO has provided the state of Kerala with an opportunity to showcase its potential to the entire Indian travel industry.” While the lack of hotel accommodation topped its agenda, IATO urged the UPA government to treat tourism at par with the exporters, software industry and infrastructure industry in order to create jobs and eradicate poverty. While delivering his presidential speech, Subhash Goyal, president, IATO said that the present government’s mandate, which is to elevate poverty and create employment opportunities for all, is possible only through tourism. “The current tourism boom has only made us realise the dream of open skies which has resulted in achieving over three million tourists.” Commenting on the theme of the convention ‘incredible boom, incredible challenges, ‘ Goyal said “The boom has posed many challenges and through deliberations on various issues, IATO is planning evolve a strategy to sustain this boom.” Urging the industry partners to come forward for the cause of tourism, A K Misra, secretary, tourism, government of India said, “That tourism is a composite subject that involves a lot of coordination with different ministries and industry partners. Therefore, the association should come forward and support the government on various initiatives. For example, the industry can come forward for the upkeep and maintenance of historical monuments.”

Addressing the first business session – ‘Building infrastructure-key to sustain the boom’ Amitabh Kant, joint secretary, ministry of tourism, government of India, said, “Boom has created many opportunities and not challenges. We need to understand that challenges are part of a cyclic pattern and we need to go through it. It is important to realise that tourism is the function of how well the economy does.” While participating in the business session on civil aviation ‘Open skies and choked ground’ Peter Hill, CEO, Srillankan Airlines said that there is need for more FDI in aviation sector in India. V Tulasidas, CMD, Air India said that the current infrastructure needs an overhaul urgently if travel has to progress. Commenting on the convention destination Vijay Thakur, vice-president, IATO and convention chairman said that, “Gods Own Country is not only a beautiful destination but the state also serves as example with respect to tourism development. The vision of the Kerala government is showing admirable results and that other states need to emulate the same.” Major Murli Dhar, senior vice president, IATO suggested that both the government and the representatives of the major industry organisations like IATO must put their heads together and draw up a dynamic map on tourism for 21st century . He gave a new slogan to the convention “Jai Vatan, Jai Paryatan- Victory to India, Victory to Tourism”.

O P I N I O N S
Prateek Chawla, director, Outbound Travels Pvt Ltd It was a nice event but workwise, it did not achieve much.  I guess that IATO needs some fresh blood to offer it some impetus. It needs some young people who could deal with the government in an interactive and proactive manner. It needs people who could command things and not demand them. We should make the government realise the important of tourism. This event proved to be regional conference. It did not address the broader issues of the industry.	Rajesh Mudgill, managing director, Planet India travels (p) Ltd The recently concluded IATO convention was a great success both interms of the participation and the debates and discussions. There was a record sale of the number of booths. We were planning to have 35 booths but we sold 65 booths and there was still lot of demand, which we couldn’t fulfill… We have sent  a set of recommendations to the government and we are assured that the government will look into it soon.	Major Murlidhar, president,Cosmopolitan Tour Operators It was a very nice event and a successful conference. Travel mart was a big success. Sessions were meaningful and I must say that the presentation by Amitabh Kant was an eye-opener. Presentations made by various states were also informative.
Madan Kak, Area manager tours- northern India, TCI IJudging the conference by the number of delegates only proves that it was a successful event. The business sessions were very informative and the mart was educative enough for the tour operators. The mart also indicated that south is coming up in a big way.	Rajiv Duggal, CEO, destinations of the World (subcontinent) Pvt Ltd It was a very well organized event with very successful and informative sessions.   Few sessions on infrastructure and civil aviation really made a lot of sense. Even the mart was very good. Networking point of view the convention proved to be a very good platform. I am very happy with the event.