The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has proposed a strategic approach to augment inbound tourism by advocating the provision of incentives to inbound tour operators. As part of their recommendations, they have suggested the implementation of aggressive promotional campaigns overseas. These initiatives aim to bolster India’s tourism industry by garnering increased attention from potential foreign tourists.
In the capital city of New Delhi, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has corresponded with the esteemed Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), stressing the necessity for strategic measures aimed at amplifying inbound tourism to the country.
Expressing their concerns and recommendations, the IATO has articulated a compelling plea to the PMO, advocating for proactive actions that could significantly bolster the influx of tourists arriving in India from various parts of the world.
Rajiv Mehra, the President of IATO, has conveyed apprehension regarding the significant decline observed in foreign arrivals during the year 2022. The recorded statistics indicated a substantial drop in visits, plunging to 85.9 lakh, in sharp contrast to the robust count of 3.14 crore visits witnessed back in 2019. This data was disclosed by Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy, reflecting a notable disparity in tourist numbers over the specified time frame.
The decline in foreign arrivals was attributed by the association to various causes, including the removal of incentives for inbound operators, insufficiently trained tourism staff in Indian embassies, and insufficient international marketing efforts. Additionally, the lack of budgetary support for overseas initiatives like travel marts and roadshows was highlighted as a significant obstacle in attracting foreign tourists.