Visakhapatnam to host 41st IATO National Annual Convention

The minister appealed to hotel and resort owners, tour operators, travel agencies, homestay operators, transport providers, tourist guides and aspiring entrepreneurs to participate actively

Metro India News | VISHAKPATNAM

Andhra Pradesh will host the 41st Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) National Annual Convention in Visakhapatnam from September 10 to 12, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh announced on Thursday. He said the prestigious convention would bring together more than 1,000 leading inbound tour operators, domestic travel companies, destination management companies, hoteliers and representatives of airlines from across the country, providing Andhra Pradesh’s tourism industry a major platform for national exposure and business opportunities.

The minister said IATO, which has more than 2,068 members nationwide and is a leading organization in inbound tourism, had introduced special concessions to encourage greater participation by tourism stakeholders from Andhra Pradesh. As part of the initiative, the Rs. 10,000 plus GST one-time admission fee normally payable for IATO membership by tour operators, hotels and other tourism stakeholders from the State has been completely waived. The concession will apply to applications submitted until December 31, 2026.

In another major incentive, the convention registration fee for Andhra Pradesh delegates has been reduced to Rs. 3,000, from the regular Rs. 6,000 for IATO members and Rs. 8,500 for non-members. Durgesh urged eligible tourism stakeholders to make use of the opportunity and apply online through the IATO portal without paying the admission fee.  The minister appealed to hotel and resort owners, tour operators, travel agencies, homestay operators, transport providers, tourist guides and aspiring entrepreneurs to participate actively.