Conventions remain relevant
Even as conventions bring industry stakeholders under one roof promising discussions on serious issues, there is a possibility that the event may become redundant for some. TRAVTALK speaks to IATO Convention attendees.
Conventions like this bring all the stakeholders, travel agents and tour operators under one roof. I believe that the objective for such events should be to promote tourism and grow both inbound and domestic tourism in a structured manner. I think there is an opportunity to create packages that showcase the diversity of India. The new generation really wants to travel and understand the various cultures and traditions.
We need to rearrange ourselves in a different pattern and focus on what we have been selling. What we have learnt is that we need to position ourselves correctly and do proper branding. Customer trends, behaviour, and requirements are entirely different and constantly changing. Technology is a big challenge for us. However, personal touch makes a lot of difference.
I think that to some extent we are able to convey our message to the government, to the bureaucrats, and of course to the members. Members are also realising that we are getting together. A team spirit has developed. The market is facing problems and we have to fight it together. I am sure that after the convention action will be taken from the government as well as within the tourism industry.
I think IATO should involve more government representatives in the panel discussions so that they can get some kind of result through the discussions, and the ministry can announce what they are doing to solve the problems. Also, we can inform them about taxes and tourism benefits on offer in other countries.
It was a great convention, especially the destination Tamil Nadu and the venue ITC Grand Chola. The organising committee and the entire IATO team have done a great job. The sessions have been great offering point to point details and were spot on in addressing issues. The lovely evening and hospitality made it one of the best conventions we have attended.
It’s an amazing platform to take business further. We exist and sustain in the industry because we have business. The theme of the convention was appropriate as we are going through a phase where changes are happening very fast in the industry. Tourism is no more a business of intermediates and is slowly converting from business of intermediates to a business of innovation, out of the box thinking and creativity. Thus, to have a sustainable business, people need to understand the market and adapt to the changes.
While it’s a great exercise that IATO does every year, it’s not moving at a pace that it should. The state where the convention happens does benefit. IATO is able to address the issues, but it doesn’t move after that. People come from the Ministry of Tourism, but no one sits right across through the conference to participate and take it forward from there. Ideally conventions like these are expected to address issues and take the industry forward, which doesn’t seem to happen.
IATO Conventions have always been good. It’s a good platform for knowing things and meeting new people from the industry. Being a hotelier, it is an advantage for me as I can meet so many people under one roof.
I have been attending the convention for the last two years and I like coming here as I get to meet all our travel trade friends in one place. It is difficult to meet them in Delhi or in any other city. It also gives us a casual atmosphere to interact with them, and understand their problems. Here, we get to talk leisurely about the charter industry with both regular and potential clients, all under one roof.
As a service provider, every year there is something to learn, right from new products to new service ethics. Being in the service industry, we have to understand every year that there is something new which is happening, which we have to understand and imbibe to deliver it to our guests.
The fact that it is the 32nd IATO Convention and there are 1000 participants at the event, shows that industry does need such events, especially after a few dull conventions couple of years ago. Of late, IATO conventions have become active and well represented. It's a good way to interact and meet the industry to talk about issues and problems.