Visakhapatnam to Host 41st National Conference of Tour Operators, 1,000+ Delegates Expected

The Andhra Pradesh government is stepping up efforts to strengthen the state’s tourism industry and create new business opportunities for local stakeholders, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said. He noted that tourism development has been given renewed priority under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

Visakhapatnam will host the 41st annual national conference of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) from September 10 to 12. The three-day event is expected to draw more than 1,000 delegates, including leading tour operators, hoteliers, travel companies, aviation industry representatives and policymakers from across the country.

Describing the conference as an important opportunity for Andhra Pradesh, Durgesh said the gathering would bring key players from the tourism and travel industry onto a single platform. It is expected to help the state showcase its tourism destinations while enabling local businesses to establish direct connections with major tour operators from different parts of India.

The minister said IATO, a prominent organisation in the country’s inbound tourism sector, currently has more than 2,068 members. In an effort to increase participation from Andhra Pradesh, the government has announced special incentives for tourism stakeholders in the state.

Under the initiative, the one-time admission fee of ₹10,000 plus GST payable by AP-based tour operators, hotels and other tourism stakeholders for joining IATO has been fully waived. The concession will be available to eligible applicants who submit their applications by December 31, 2026.

The state has also extended a concession on conference participation. The registration fee for Andhra Pradesh delegates has been reduced from ₹8,500 to ₹3,000, making it easier for local tourism businesses to participate in the national event.

Eligible stakeholders can apply online through the official IATO registration portal without having to pay any initial admission fee.

With delegates arriving from across the country, the conference is expected to give Andhra Pradesh hotels, resorts and tourist destinations greater national visibility. It could also open avenues for business partnerships, networking and direct commercial engagements with leading players in the travel industry.

Durgesh urged hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, homestay operators, transport companies, tourist guides and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of the conference and use the platform to promote their businesses and explore new opportunities in the state’s growing tourism sector.