proved himself a strong contender for successfully bringing IATO to Orissa.
The IATO officials first visited the State on May 5 and had a preliminary round of discussion with Mishra. In their second visit on June 6, a joint meeting was convened to discuss about the arrangements. Apart from the Minister himself, top officials of the Tourism Department, hoteliers, tour operators, airlines representatives attended the meeting.
According to J.K.Mohanty, chairman of IATO Orissa Chapter, Orissa will be given a special slot in the business session as well as in the introductory session for presenting its tourism potentialities and investment opportunities.
“IATO has assured that Orissa will figure prominently in the brochure programs of all tour operators in international market,” Mohanty said.
Special arrangement has been planned for tour operators for the familiarisation tours to different destinations. Elaborate plan has also been made to showcase Orissa's art, craft, culture, tradition, destinations, dance, and cuisines at the conclave.
While the hotels in Bhubaneswar have come forward offering more than 50 percent discount for about the required 600 rooms, other stakeholders have lent their solidarity to make the event successful.
About 1200 tour operators from different parts of the country and abroad are scheduled to participate in the XXIV IATO conclave.
State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate this major international tourism convention, and Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare will grace the valedictory ceremony.
Among the other dignitaries who are likely to attend the event include Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and experts from the trade and other industry partners.
The convention will provide a unique opportunity for the tour operators to explore Orissa as an exciting destination with the pre and post convention tours organised by Orissa Tourism to Golden Triangle, Buddhist Diamond Triangle, Bhitarkanika, Chilika Lake , textile circuit in Nuapatna and Sadeibareni and tribal regions of the state.
The significance of IATO convention lies in the fact that wherever the conclave by IATO was organised earlier, the particular region has experienced tremendous tourism growth.
Empirically, the reality is vindicated with the growth dynamics that IATO has alone contributed to more than 40 percent inbound arrivals to India . Orissa now receives less than 1 percent of inbound tourists and it is believed that with IATO coming to Orissa and positioning the state on its agenda of priority, there is bright prospect for the state tourism to reap rich dividends.
State Tourism Director Rabi Narayan Nanda has been appointed co-chairman for IATO convention.
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