IATO delegation meets Governor of Manipur to discuss key issues affecting state’s tourism development
IATO Delegation with Governor of Manipur
The delegation was led by Ravi Gosain, President – IATO, accompanied by Rajiv Mehra, Immediate Past President, Radhakrishna Sharma, IATO State In-charge – Manipur, and E.B. Blah, IATO State In-charge – Meghalaya.
A high-level delegation from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) met the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan to deliberate on critical issues impacting the state’s tourism industry and to explore collaborative initiatives to enhance Manipur’s visibility in global markets.
During the interaction, the delegation appraised the Governor for several challenges faced by tour operators and stakeholders in the region, specifically:
-Restrictions and procedural complexities associated with the Protected Area Permit (PAP) system, which continue to discourage international tourists.
-Inadequate air connectivity and inadequate infrastructure, which impacts tourist mobility.
- Need for comprehensive and strategic tourism promotion initiatives, particularly in international markets, to position Manipur as a competitive destination.
The IATO team assured its support for the growth of tourism in Manipur, emphasising the need for streamlined permit processes, improvements in connectivity and participation in international travel marts.
The Governor appreciated the constructive suggestions and expressed commitment to support initiatives that would strengthen Manipur’s tourism ecosystem and contribute to socio-economic development in the region.
Earlier, on November 26th, 2025, Ravi Gosain and Rajiv Mehra attended and addressed the 3rd Manipur Tourism Congress, organised by Manipur Tourism. Speaking during a panel discussion on “Partnership for Progress”, Gosain highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between government bodies, tourism associations, and private stakeholders to drive sustainable tourism growth. He emphasised IATO’s willingness to support smaller and emerging destinations through its extensive national and international network, enabling wider visibility for Manipur among global tour operators and travellers.
