The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) conducted its first-ever full-day “Brainstorming Session” of Active Members on 16th July at Le Meridien, New Delhi, with participants joining in a hybrid format from across the country. The landmark event aimed to gather practical insights and expert suggestions from stakeholders to prepare a Unified White Paper that will be submitted to the Government, including the Prime Minister’s Office, to strengthen India’s inbound tourism ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, IATO President Mr. Ravi Gosain expressed immense satisfaction with the overwhelming response, noting that around 140 active members participated in the session from various parts of India. “It was truly heartening to witness such robust participation and engagement, which made this one of the most meaningful and result-oriented sessions in recent times,” he remarked.
The brainstorming discussions centered on the theme “Working Together to Strengthen Inbound Tourism,” with active deliberation on critical hurdles and policy gaps that are hampering tourism growth in India. Members emphasized the need for coordinated efforts with multiple key ministries including Tourism, Civil Aviation, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Road Transport, and Shipping. The session also underscored the importance of forging stronger partnerships with industry stakeholders such as hotels, airlines, transporters, guides, and airport authorities.
A key concern raised during the meeting was the acute shortage of trained and skilled manpower in the tourism sector. Members highlighted that tourism offers massive potential for employment generation, particularly for youth in rural and semi-urban areas. They stressed that empowering the sector with proper human resource development can significantly contribute to India’s economic growth while increasing valuable foreign exchange earnings through enhanced inbound travel.
Mr. Gosain further added that this brainstorming session was not just a discussion forum, but a focused and collaborative effort to develop actionable solutions. The outcome of the session will be compiled into a preliminary recommendation document, which will then evolve into a comprehensive White Paper representing a unified industry voice.
IATO’s initiative reflects the growing urgency within the tourism industry to work in synergy with the government and allied sectors to overcome systemic bottlenecks. The White Paper is expected to serve as a strategic roadmap to position India as a more competitive and tourist-friendly destination on the global stage.
