IATO plans for Europe roadshow; continues discussions, advocacy around inbound tourism growth
IATO-Representative image
Key highlights were discussed during a recent meet up focusing on the amendment needed in GST law, expansion of IATO’s AI-enabled skillset program, an overseas roadshow in the offing, conclaves in Uttarakhand and Telangana and securing special contracted hotel rates.
- By Kartika Kiran
The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) organised its luncheon meeting at The Hotel Park on February 19, 2026. The meeting brought together the stakeholders, and association members from across India to discuss the opportunities and challenges around the inbound tourism.
Delivering the welcome note, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, welcomed everyone with warm wishes. He highlighted the association’s initiatives, including progress of their AI enabled skillset program, led by Vijay Sarathi. The course has trained 350 people across six cities and is set to launch in three more cities, including Varanasi, Jaipur, and Agra. They are also planning for skill program for middle management or the senior management soon. Gosain noted the robust growth in IATO's membership, now exceeding 1900, indicating strong industry confidence.
In partnership with government, IATO will organise conclave in Uttarakhand and Telangana, in the coming months, inviting 100-200 tour operators, alongside organising FAM trips. The association is also working on its visibility as they have hired a new social media company in January and a new PR company.
Notably, for the first time, IATO will be organising a roadshow in Europe in three cities, Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam. They are planning to do similar shows in other markets as well. Gosain also acknowledged the government’s growing seriousness about the sector, evidenced by Finance Minister including tourism and hospitality leaders in the pre-budget consultation for the first time.
On the sidelines, Gosain also shared that the association has also got special contracted rate with Leela Hotels. “The bar rates are commissionable at 15% and on higher category. It's not only with Leela, but we also have rates from around 20 other hotels and hotel chains, like Taj, ITC, Sterling, and others.”
Marking the achievements of IATO, Gosain highlighted the strong government advocacy, as the window of e-tourist visa facility window has been extended from 30 days to 120 days to apply, on IATO's recommendation.
Sunil Mishra, Hon. Secretary of IATO, highlighted the association’s recent efforts. He said that the association submitted recommendations to Ministry of Commerce and Industry to boost Russia inbound tourism to India, suggesting easier entry protocols, resolving payment frictions, targeted marketing, and facilitating Russian investment in Indian tourism. Following the blast incident in November 2025 in Delhi, IATO requested the Ministry of Tourism to issue an official advisory press statement to reassure overseas partners and clients, countering any panic and uncertainty among foreign travellers.
IATO also offered its recommendations for the Union Budget 2026-27 and suggestions for the amendment in the GST law in the interest of the Ministry of Tourism. Suggestions include:
- Removal of cascading effect of GST on tourism industry
- Treating tourism industry as deemed exporter as at par with IT industry under export of services
- Correction in the condition prescribed against 5% GST notified for tour operators' services
- ITC facility in respect of rent-a-cab services heading 9966 may be allowed to tour operators paying 5% GST under heading 9985
- Implementing the Refund Tax refund for tourists (TRT) scheme at airports.
- Waiver of e-invoicing for tour operators
- Allocation of funds to the Ministry of Tourism and tourism marketing and promotions and marketing development assistance and financial support by Ministry of Commerce to the tour operators.
The association also requested for intervention of ministry regarding full refunds for 'no-show' cases under the force majeure clause and to prevent unreasonable tariff hikes due to flight disruptions by Indigo. IATO also raised concerns with the Government of Rajasthan regarding the surge in monument entrance fees and composite ticketing, requesting a review, rationalisation, and provision for transitional relief for existing bookings.
Mishra further stated that the association offered inputs related to I.A.T.F. and I.I.T.G to Project Manager S.N.C.B. Division, Ministry of Tourism. They also apprised Swarnendu Ganguly, Assistant Director Facilitation and Standard Division, Ministry of Tourism Government of India, on the new railway routes on where capacity augmentation is required based on the projected tariff.
IATO also informed Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, about the significant challenges foreign tourists face in securing Protected and Restricted Area Permits (PAP/RAP) for Sikkim and other Northeastern states. To resolve these logistical hurdles, IATO recommended streamlining the process by allowing pre-arrival applications integrated with e-visas, authorising approved tour operators to apply for clients, and empowering state-level authorities to issue permits directly. Furthermore, they urged the government to implement a single-window fast-track approval system, establish uniform guidelines across the entire region, and set up a dedicated help desk to ensure a smoother travel experience for international visitors.
Also, in December 2025, the Gujarat chapter had a fruitful meeting with 15 stakeholders from Surat along with R.D. Western Region. IATO J&K chapter held in Srinagar.
Speaking about the decline in the number of leisure inbound numbers, Viney Tyagi, Hony. Joint Secretary said, “The hotels are doing excellent with Indian domestic market, Indian MICE, weddings, international conventions. But same hoteliers facing the less numbers of foreign tourists. There are two things we are looking at. One is the revenue when we were working pre-COVID, we were working when the dollar was at 70, today we are doing at 90. So, some revenue might be there, but actual footfall numbers are less for most of us.” He further emphasised on the ongoing efforts by the association and reassured the members.
Besides, IATO also informed there’s a seminar being planned on the awareness of the SHE-Box portal, opened by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Ministry of Women and Child Development recently announced that any organisation having 10 employees and above must have an internal committee for safety of women at workplace.
The meeting ended with an interactive QnA session held where the leaders addressed the concerns of the members.
