First

Thank you
for your
love & support
over the past
two years

An associations role is to deliver on your

investment, not to only be a logo on your
letterhead
An associations role is to be there for all
of you and not a selected few
An associations role is to make your job
running your companies easier

IATO was created to represent the needs of

the inbound tour operator segment
We respect the space of our sister
associations like ADTOI, ATOAI, ICPB, ITTA
etc each who effectively handle the needs of
their specialist segment
We will continue to work in partnership with
all associations to build the industry and
not work against each others interests

Henry Ford said

Coming together is a beginning.

Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success

We worked hard to deliver on this vision

We worked hard to deliver for you
We will continue to do so!

Size ???
Being small doesnt mean
you are invisible
Make steps that make you
invincible !
Fact: barely 3% of our members
have turnovers of Rs.50+ crs
Big companies get no benefits
from MOT

We are an association for small

and medium companies and
every action we have taken in
the past two years have been
with them in mind.

Everything we have done has always

to take all members along. Everyone
is equal in the eyes of your team.
Never has an action been taken to
discriminate against anyone
We all want the same thing a
healthy, vibrant and viable tourism
industry. We must stay focussed.

what do you
need ?

What are the skills the industry needs in IATO today ?

Today IATO is an efficient machine that is working around the
clock for its members
It needs modern efficient managers
Your EC members needs to be aware of todays global best
practices in business
They need to have an understanding on international marketing
We need people who are multi-skilled and that can take on any
assignment
We need people who are broad out-of-the-box thinkers
We need people who run successful business for they will better
understand what is needed to carry the entire industry along
You need people who are willing to contribute their time

Why us ?

Fresh faces mixed with learned experience - Young energy

Not old wine in a new bottle
No desire to hold power for the sake of it
Healthy mix of medium and small companies in our team
We have ensured complete transparency & accountability in IATO
We have ensured timely sharing of opportunities to members
Deep hands-on & in-depth experience of working in national &
international platforms
A group of professionals with proven track records of running
successful companies
We bring you experiences & qualifications to meet the CHANGED
NEEDS of TODAY.
We bring you unquestionable integrity and honesty
We have a passion for work to make a difference for you

how we
operate
IATO operates on two levels in the industry :

actions that are member

facing / focussed

actions that strategic and

industry focussed

eg: resolving code of conduct

issues, road shows, marketing; evisa; working with other ministries
like aviation

eg: selection of vendors for

government PR offices / websites
/ social media; creation of global
travel mart

In a given year, the IATO EC attends an average of 4

government, industry or association meetings a week

Some of the work done

You will agree that the following achievements of IATO has helped the
smallest & the youngest members of the IATO family. This is just some of the
work that Mr Goyal and his team had achieved. Pronab and the team wish to
take this further.
1.

2.

3.

The foremost is the e-Tourist Visa was made a reality. This was a
completely IATO driven initiative along with MOT to simplify the Indian
visa system. There are 150 countries on the list, we know the system still
has some work needed and that is in progress.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) instructed ASI Monument
fee increase was deferred by 7 months till the end of the high
season. Also brought down the increase by half. Also negotiated
separate and better facilities for international tourists.
Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme of the Ministry of
Tourism amended to include accommodation costs and trade show
booth costs as reimbursable elements.

Some of the work done

4.

5.

6.

7.
8.

When the MEA decided to introduce Biometric fingerprinting for certain

markets especially FRANCE and the UK, IATO worked aggressively to
get that deferred.
IATO was especially given the responsibility to handle all Ministry of
Tourism sponsored Hospitality guests; Tour Operators, Media members,
TV Teams, Decision Makers from overseas. IATO MEMBERS handled
over 150 MOT sponsored Fam Tours in a very transparent manner.
IATO was able to work with Air India and get the Free Baggage
Allowance increased from 15 kgs to 25 kgs on all its domestic
sectors. This is the only airline to do so. This was a major achievement
for us.
We also got Air India to re-introduce special package airfares for
international tourists.
We were also successful in convincing the government to remove
service tax for groups to the SAARC region countries. This was a
long standing problem area. We can now offset Service tax in the SEIS
scheme

Some of the work done

9.

IATO successfully convinced MOT to have permanent PR

companies in top destination market. During the process of selection
IATO was in the committee and played an important role.
10. Inviting International Associations to hold their Board meetings in
India was an important marketing strategy. USTOA was hosted by IATO
with Ministry of Tourism support. We also had DRV from Germany in
2015. Actions like this are now standard for IATO and we have two other
global associations already lined up.
11. Spirit of India Run supported and co-ordinated by IATO from
Kanyakumari to Kashmir was a great success and an important tool for
marketing India in the Asia-Pacific region.
12. For the first time ever in the history of India, an Indian travel
association ran a politically focused campaign. We operated our A
Message a Day to the PM campaign for a week and was a huge
success. The feedback from the members was very positive. The
campaign resulted in a deep detailed meeting with MOT officials and
creation of a list of deliverables from them.

Some of the work done

13. IATO has also engaged the national media a lot more than the past
and the cause of tourism is being covered more effectively. This is a
critical component to our getting the needs to the tourism industry before
the national government.
14. We held a number of meetings with chapters and members across
the country and not only Delhi.
15. We created 4 Regional Chapter Chairmen to help our state chapters
better organize themselves. We are a national body and healthy chapters
is the lifeline of our operations.
16. Our chapters were empowered with a budget and spending
authority for their local events and activities. This had never been
done before.

Some of the work done

18. IATO website www.iato.in was revamped with all relevant Government
circulars, Notifications, Guidelines, immediately put on the website for
easy reference of members.
19. The National Tourist Help Line (1363) in multiple languages was
IATOs idea. We worked with MOT to help its implementation.
20. IATO has recently been part of the selection process to appoint
suitable world class IT companies to take the MOT website and
Social media campaign to the next level. We worked with MOT as
strategic partners. This is a significant move as such actions have not
been taken before.
21. We have created a stronger working relationship with all other major
industry associations through FAITH. Despite our old fashioned
detractors and cynics, we continue to believe in INDUSTRY UNITY as
being the only way forward. IATO is a strong and equal partner in this
group and in no way does this diminish our importance or place. Rather,
it supplements our authority.

Some of the work done

22. We are working with all industry bodies on getting tourism into the
lowest tax slab in the GST system, when it is applicable. We sent
several representations to Finance and Commerce ministry for this
purpose and also had numerous meetings as an industry. This is a long
and laborious process.
23. IATO successfully arranged FAM TOURS for members for Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
This is in line with our objective to create platforms for destination
training.
24. Railways : In the Continuous endeavor of IATO, after many years we
were successful in breaking the ice as Headway been made with Various
Corporation regarding Sustaining Luxury Trains including issues for Rail
Tourism.
25. Licensing : IATO EC had series of discussions with Delhi Govt. & made
them agree to our request that our Members who are already approved
from MOT will undergo simpler processes for approval.

Some of the work done

26. Delhi State Luxury Tax on Hotels : We have interacted with Delhi State
Tourism Minister & the Excise department. Eventually the Luxury Tax
applicability was changed from earlier limit of INR 750 per room tariff, to
be now INR 1500 per room slab, with Nil Luxury Tax on Hotel Room
Tariff. For hotels having tariff more than INR 1500 per nightly room, the
Matter is still under review.
27. We created a professional AV tool for IATO members. We are the first
association to make something like this, a neutral India piece that all our
members can use. This was released during our Indore convention and
then circulated to all Active and Allied members. This presentation will be
shown during all the overseas IATO road shows for promotion of IATO
members. Link was provided to the members to download and use it
during promotional and marketing activities by the members.
28. IATO restructured all sub-committees to ensure greater participation of
members and better delivery.

Some of the work done

29. Code of Conduct for Best Practices was circulated earlier and now
have been made Mandatory for members for renewal of Membership
and to obtain Ministry of Tourism approval. Members response has
been overwhelming. It ensures ethical practices in tourism business
operations. We have had many members who have used this to help
recover money or against deceitful employees.
30. Enhanced Roadshows and organized six Road Shows covering 18
cities in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism were organised. We
had ensured that these are professionally organized by having
professional PR Agency (specially for language speaking markets)
31. Training Programs for IATO members in our off-season period
continued and members feedback was very positive & inspiring. We also
empowered chapters to do training in their regions and this was done. So
we are ensuring our benefits are going across the country.

Some of the work done

33. IATOs annual conventions continued on their upward growth path.
Our 31st Annual Convention was successfully completed in Indore with
largest ever attendance.
34. Holding of the first ever Global Travel Mart on Service Sector under
the aegis of Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Tourism was organised
by IATO.
35. Seeing the problems posed by limited number of Chinese speaking
guides, IATO convinced the Ministry to train more numbers for IATO
members and provide certification.
36. IATO made comprehensive and strategic contribution in Ministry of
Tourisms New Tourism Policy, Civil Aviation Policy, Clean India
Campaign, New initiatives of PRASAD AND SWADESH DARSHAN, Skill
Development Programme HUNAR SE ROZGAR Cruise Policy Revision
of Guidelines for classification of Hotel, Bilateral Meets with Foreign
delegations and all such areas where IATO was duly considered as
THINK TANK for Tourism Development Plan.

Some of the work done

37. IATO contributed to the Ministry of Tourism on Study of Taxes/GST
levied on Tourism Sector Vis--vis Export Sector and compared to
neighboring countries.
38. IATO gave its valuable inputs for finalizing the National Tourism
Policy Guidelines to MOT which was recently announced on 27 Sept
2015 at the function held on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
39. IATO made focused approach to Ministry of Finance, Ministry of
Civil Aviation other concerned ministries which made impact on
government decision process on the following Availability of CENVAT Credit on Service Tax
Increase in Benefit under SFIS Scheme
Reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on Air Turbine Fuel.
Harmonization of State entry/Road Tax for Commercial vehicles so
that travel is seamless across India.
Infrastructure (Air/Rail connectivity/stay facilities and issues of
important places like Buddhist Circuit etc.
Seamless travel - soon you will hear from Transport Ministry as this is
approved by the Transport Minister.

Some of the work done

40. IATO made its presence felt in the successful running of the Buddhist
Conclave organized by Ministry of Tourism. We will be assisting in
organsing this in 2016 as well.
41. We have consistently engaged with State Governments on tourism
issues specific to their states. We have had many direct interactions with
tourism administrators across the country and some have been come
and presented to our members in our meetings.
42. Cruise Tourism is another focus area IATO has been working on with
various governments, ports and the Ministry of Shipping. We are pushing
for iimprovement of ports to International Standards and recommended
for E-visa facility with biometrics at Ports as well.
43. IATOs faculty assistance in IITTM courses for 24 hrs. helpline has
been recognized by Ministry of Tourism.
44. IATOs New look Newsletter became an instrument for maintaining link
with our membership and developing PR across the country.
45. IATO ensured with the help of our Ministry that movement of commercial
vehicles is not affected due to Even Odd Formula of Delhi Government.

Just to list a few of our many achievements......

Our vision
This team is all on the same page on all the benefits we wish to bring
you and the issues we need to tackle. Our minds are very clear and
directions all set in place. We are ready to get going the very day
after the elections. That is how confident we are.
On the e-Visa - We are aggressively working to bring in the
following broad changes into the system
1. Increase validity of visa from 30 to at least 60 days
2. Increase application validity from 34 days to 180
3. Make applicable at cruise ports
4. Make it double or multiple entry
5. Include the missing countries into the list

Our vision
We have recommended a special foreign travel trade activation
strategy to the Ministry of Tourism Allocate 5 air passages to every ACTIVE IATO member to each bring
in 5 travel agents / tour operators from overseas markets between April
September. This will result in immediate potential exposure of 1,750
travel professionals pot India. Fundamentally, the more we show India
first hand to foreign travel professionals, the more we can sell
effectively.
This tickets need to be allocated without restrictions or questions as
the current system is choking all marketing efforts of the industry.
The 5 tickets need to be utilised by people who have not been to India
in the past 3 years. IATO will self-certify this.
Exposure to the destination will also negate all negative perceptions
created to due adverse media over the past few years.

Our vision
We have recommended a special consumer strategy to the Ministry
of Tourism to increase numbers to India Participation in consumer fairs and exhibitions, street level
advertisements, advertisements in local language magazines,
newspapers, metro stations, bus stops, cabs etc MUST CONTINUE
and be done more aggressively.
Food is one of the greatest brand identifiers for India.
We need to identify Indian restaurants in key source markets and
create a promotion pack for them with brochures, posters etc for them
to place in their restaurants.
IATO will help identify and negotiate with all restaurants in key
markets.
IATO will be happy to create and deliver all creatives for this effort if
MOT will cover the cost of printing and global distribution.

Our vision

Our Code of Conduct and Best Business Practices has been

successful in addressing many member issues. Signing of this
Code has also been made mandatory to get MOT Recognition. This
will be further strengthened and member sensitisation training
conducted.
We have already identified and negotiated to appoint a media
consultant for IATO to lobby the cause of Indian tourism. This will be
in line to media actions taken by NASSCOM, CII, FICCI etc. This is
necessary to help give tourism a national voice and also sensitive the
national & state political leadership about our industry.

Our vision
We intend to continue to use technology to take IATO to the next
level. We will further enhance our web presence, optimize our website
on global search engines and create a B2B market place for our
membership. We will take many membership services online, as is the
norm in the west.
The IATO convention will continue to grow in size. We intend to make it
even more interactive for active & allied members. We already have
a new format in mind to give all our tour operator members (active or
allied) special sessions and time to create better skills and learnings.
This will be implemented in 2016
We will use the low season period to create special Destination
Training programs on various states around the country where our
members can take part in hosted fam trips and get education on new
and upcoming products by first hand visiting these states.

Our vision
Our chapters are a medium for us to reach out and deliver benefits to
our members across the country. We created posts for 4 regional
Chapter Chairmen to look after the Northern, Southern, Eastern and
Western regions. We intend to empower these roles with more
authority.
We have already given chapter financial support to spend for their
members and be reimbursed by IATO. We intend to assist them to
create annual action plans to ensure activities are done.
We shall encourage chapters and Reginal Chapter Chairmen to hold
more training seminars in their states. A few did so in the past, but we
intend to encourage this more strongly.

Our vision
Today, IATO has excellent relationship & reputation with all
government agencies. We have the highest level of respect in the
association space. We intend to build upon that for smooth
communication and work for the Industry. Lobbying for the industry is a
continual process.
We will continue to create better relationships between our association
and with that of hotels, guides, airlines and other suppliers for Ethical &
fair business practices
Create synergies with other national associations for all of us to work
together for mutual benefits on matters at a national level
IATO is strategic partner with MOT on proposed Indian Global
Travel Mart in 2017 which will be the mother of all travel marts in
India. This premier mart will be on larger scale, focused on inbound
tourism

Our vision
We are already talking to agencies for a Group Liability insurance
policy to give our members coverage against legal action by FTOs
and clients. This is a work in progress we intend to continue.
Social Media and India IATO intends to hire a social media company
to specifically promote India and our members in global source
markets.
We will be earmarking a fund to get a professional team of
photographers to shoot key destinations to create a photo bank
exclusively for use by our members.
We will continue our skill building / training courses for members and
employees. These will continued to be done across the 4 regions.

Our vision
We will be empanelling Service Tax and Labour Law specialists for
IATO Active members to consult as a part of their membership
benefits. This will help our members get better quality legal advice.
A mandatory half yearly review of the functioning of IATO by Active
members will be instituted.
Our first Member survey done a few weeks ago will be made into a
permanent process to help gather media relevant data.
As done a few weeks ago, we will arrange an exclusive interactive
session with the Ministry of Tourism 3 times a year for active members
to voice their opinions on the affairs of the industry.

Our vision
We wish to lobby aggressively and change the archaic rules of
MOT for funding our members marketing efforts and those of
international FTOs. The rules are old fashioned and discourage any
innovation and growth
Task force to be formed within 30 days of being elected on the
burning issue of hotels rates vs Online Travel Agencies
Task force to be formed within 30 days of being elected on the
issue of licensing for the tour operating industry and getting rid
of fly-by-night companies
We shall continue to fight for a reduction on multiple taxation on
Tourism.
We are working aggressively as a collective industry to get tourism in
the lowest slab of GST when implemented.

Our vision
We will be negotiating with Air India to provide tour based fares for the
bookings made by the Indian agents special fare like IT fare. This will
allow the Indian agents to complete the package when selling to
consumers thus making the destination easier to purchase.
In line with changing priorities of the national government, we will
institute committees for Swachh Bharat; Skill Development and Make
in India
We will close the appointment of a professional IATO CEO.
We will embark on a national campaign to get more tour operators
(new and old) to join the IATO membership and into the mainstream of
the tourism industry. We have many members in the allied category
who are qualified to become active members. They will be encouraged
to do so.

Our vision
We shall work on improving the quality of tourist guides and more
language speaking guides for the Industry.
We are working on a mobile app to help our members assign and vet
guides more effectively. This will also allow members to rate and rank
guides and share any confidential information on guide services. This
is a completely voluntary services and guides who wish to join will be
asked to sign a contract of code of ethics.
We need to push more niche products and we have been working on
creating special focus on Cruise tourism, MICE tourism, Spiritual
tourism, Spa and Ayurvedic rejuvenation holidays, Luxury rail journeys
and Himalayan splendors. These will help fill in the traditional offseason periods.

Our vision
To impress upon our Minister to ensure Overseas offices of the
Ministry of Tourism are strengthened with head of the offices posted at
all vacant posts; increased budget for promotion and publicity and
increased Road Shows, international participation in global tourism
exhibitions and global networking with Travel Trade Associations
overseas.
To organize more Familiarization Tours for members in consultation
with State Governments.
We shall work and bring our young operators under the Startup India
program to take the benefits of the Government
We will continue to give priority to Skill development program through
our regular training program under Skill India Program of the
Government.

Our vision
We will be investigating the option of creating an INDIA
DESTINATION SPECIALIST training course to be delivered online
training destination training and certification to frontline staff of FTOs.
We have recommended this to MOT and if they are unable to
implement it, IATO will try to do it with industry & member support.
We have recommended and are pushing to include online digital
promotional activities as an area for reimbursement in the MDA
scheme for FTOs. This is a big gap we are not taking advantage of.
Many FTOs have moved marketing away from brochures to online.
E-Brochure support also to be provided for designing, marketing and
electronic promotions etc.
Pushing all doemstic airlines to bring in back 20 kilo check in baggage.
Some inroads already made into it.

Our vision
Brochure support to overseas tour operators is very restrictive and
cumbersome in application. This is the biggest area of discord with
FTOs.
The procedure should be simplified and transparent. Presently
brochure support is for the full brochure and it should be available for
the whole or part also on pro-rata basis.
We ask that requests for brochure support be made jointly by the FTO
and MOT approved tour operator / travel agent in DELHI and not at the
overseas office so that the process can be handled more effectively.
We will work on a global social media campaign to encourage
international FTOs and travellers to only use an IATO recognised
member. This will help combat the unorganised sector.

Meet your team of clean hearts and open minds. We

have joined together with just one objective to serve
you and help improve the industry.
This is why your so many industry leaders and
colleagues have endorsed our entire team as the
one that will deliver on our aspirations.

Get to know us

Subhash Goyal
is your outgoing President
and
is our patron
as well as a
a great supporter of
all our members
We intend to uphold
his morals and
match his passion

Get to know us

Pronab Sarkar
wants to be your

President
Pronab has a solid positive track
record on leading macro level
discussions on issues like visas,
taxation, government regulations
and others that need to be
addressed on a daily basis. He has
led roles in IATO since 2002 and is
well liked and respected by all.
Thought leadership is critical to
growing our industry. He makes a
good fit to lead our team.
Pronab is a positive thinker and
inclusive team player.

Get to know us

Rajeev Kohli
wants to be your

Senior Vice President

He has worked hard over the
past four years on issues such
as overseas marketing,
government regulations,
membership benefits and has
produced the finest
conventions and much more

Get to know us

Rajiv Mehra
wants your vote for

Vice President
Rajiv has been a silent solider
in IATO for many years. He has
been asked to move up in our
desire is to use his core skills
to grow not only IATOs
convention (which has been a
great success in the past few
years) but to also create more
regional and local events to
reach our national members.
You will rarely find someone
more dedicated or passionate
for IATO than him.

Get to know us

Ravi Gosain
wants to be your

Hony. Secretary
Ravi is someone who has proven himself
to be a strong team player and an ability to
bring in new thoughts. As the outgoing Jt.
Secretary, he helped usher in IATOs IT
changes, various back-office efficient
improvements and also added much value
to the road-shows and other elements that
needed support. That is why we asked him
to take on the Secretarys role as we now
need a next generation person who can
help the association grow and not hold it
back with outdated old fashioned thinking.
Weve made the office strong enough and
now the role of the Secretary is different.
He fits the role better than most.

Get to know us

Amaresh Tiwari
wants to be your

Hony. Treasurer
Amaresh continues to keep an eye on
our money and not only ensure it is
correctly and efficiently spent, but
also looks at opportunities how to
make it grow. IATOs money is meant
to be spent on our members. We are
spending more on professional
industry consultants to advice IATO
and that is money that has been well
spent. Some people think that the
Treasurers job is very basic, but solid
financial stability and growth require
someone with broader financial
experience and he brings that in.

Get to know us

Sanjeev Joshi
wants your vote for

Hony. Joint Secretary

Sanjeev brings to the team a deep
understanding of industry affairs
and supplier relationships. He has
strong organisation skills brought
by his years of hard core industry
experience. A firm personality, he
has helped our team in many
aspects and that is the role he is
taking on to support the office
bearers in anything needed.

Get to know us

Raj Bajaj
wants your vote for

EC (active)
Raj has been an insider of IATO for
decades, being the son of a former
President. Contesting for the
second time, he has IATO in his
heart and tourism in his DNA. He
has worked hard in the railways
committee & in finding solutions
for the members

Get to know us

P.S.Duggal
wants your vote for

EC (active)
PS Duggal is a veteran of the industry
and brings in 24 years of solid
experience in new markets.
He has been part of IATO for last
many years. So close is IATO to his
heart that he seldom misses an IATO
meeting or event. He brings to the
team his passion and expertise in
aviation. He has worked actively in
IATO Committee on Aviation and
Tourist Charters. His USP is his
soft spoken nature but strong will in
finding solutions quickly and
strongly believes in team work.
.

Get to know us

Rajnish Kaistha
wants your vote for

EC (active)
Rajnish has been a key
contributor to the welfare of IATO
members thru his shining role on
the Legal & Grievances and the
Hotels committee. He brings his
compassion and solutions for the
problems of the smallest
members and a determination to
help all.

Get to know us

Ramesh Wattal
wants your vote for

EC (active)
Ramesh is a team player and
brings in knowledge from the
adventure segment apart being a
small niche operator himself.

Get to know us

Viney Tyagi
wants your vote for

EC (active)
Viney is a popular fellow and
long time IATO member. We are
impressed with his enthusiasm
and decided he made a great fit
for our team. He has also been a
part of the legal grievances
committee for the past 4 years.
We are confident he will serve
the members well.

Get to know us

Zia Siddiqui
wants your vote for

EC (allied)
Everybody knows Zia and his
friendly smile. He brings in a new
perspective on hotel relations and
will be an experienced
voice of our allied members. He
has a passion for training & HR
development in his role

Get to know us

Sunil Gupta &

N.S. Rathor
wants your vote for

EC (allied)
Sunil and NS have long
been strong pillars of
IATO in their regions
and are our ears
& eyes on the ground.

We are a
cohesive group
of clean hearted,
intelligent and
hard working
entrepreneurs
who will give
you the finest
team IATO can
imagine under
the leadership of
Pronab Sarkar.

We are dedicated
to making a difference

a humble request

Please support
this entire team
I am not one to support anyone
blindly. I base my judgments on my
experience & opinions. I support my
colleagues from my team to take on
our mission as I sincerely feel they are
best suited to do so. I have always
said that united we can achieve
anything. All I ask is that you vote
based on what you feel will get you a
strong, cohesive and productive team
and not vote based only on
friendships. The future is sometimes
more important than the past

Remember the Date

"Joy, enthusiasm, celebration, satisfaction, optimism,

love, camaraderie... these are the emotions we should
have in us. These are the feelings we want to bring into
our lives. This is why this group of individuals decided
that it is time for change and time for a new vision & new
direction. We need a vibrant, visionary and
transparent IATO

Remember the Date

Saturday, 23rd April 2016
at 11 am 2 pm
Hotel The Park, New Delhi