ITANAGAR, 8 Aug: The first-ever interaction meet of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in Arunachal Pradesh was held at DK Convention Hall here on Saturday under the leadership of IATO-Arunachal Pradesh in-chargeBengia Mrinal.
The programme brought together senior tour operators, emerging hoteliers, tourism guides, tourism students, and other stakeholders from across the tourism ecosystem, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
Speaking during the programme, IATO-Manipur in-charge RK Sharma shared his experience and provided insights into strengthening professional tourism networks, participating effectively in national and international tourism fairs, and the importance of being associated with the IATO.
The interaction focused on building a more innovative, sustainable and financially resilient tourism sector, with discussions centred on emerging trends in tourism marketing, strengthening digital presence through websites and social media, participation in tourism fairs, GST compliance, and professional industry networking.
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to various initiatives of the state and central governments aimed at empowering tourism stakeholders. Discussions explored how government schemes and support mechanisms can be effectively utilised for destination marketing, tourism product development, capacity building, market access and the promotion of Arunachal in domestic and international markets.
The participation of tourism students, alongside experienced tour operators and emerging hospitality entrepreneurs and guides, added an important dimension to the programme. It created opportunities for mentorship, knowledge exchange,and industry exposure for the next generation of tourism professionals.
The meeting also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among the IATO, the government, tourism entrepreneurs, hospitality providers, guides, students and local communities to create high-quality tourism experiences while ensuring sustainable, inclusive and community-driven economic growth.
The event was supported by Arunachal Tourism and the IATO headquarters, and was organised by IATO-Arunachal Pradesh.
