About Iato

Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) is the National body of the tourism industry. It has over 1980+ members covering all segments of Tourism Industry. Established in 1982, IATO today has international acceptance, and linkages. It has close connections and constant interaction with other Tourism Associations in US, Nepal and Indonesia, where USTOA , NATO and ASITA are its member bodies; and is increasing its international networking with professional bodies for better facilitation to the International traveler visiting not only India but the entire Region.

IATO interacts closely with the Government on all critical Issues affecting the Tourism Industry in India with the highest priority to Tourism facilitation. It interacts closely with all Government Ministries / Departments, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Diplomatic Missions etc. It acts as the common medium between the Decision Makers and the industry, and presents the complete perspective to both sides, synergising their common agenda of Tourism facilitation. All IATO members observe the highest standards of professional ethics and offer personalized service to their clients.

Being the National Apex Body of the Tourism industry, IATO is always actively responsive to its social responsibility. All IATO members actively participate in meeting their Social Obligations not only during national emergencies and natural calamities. but also as an ongoing venture. During the recent years IATO Members contributed generously for the National Defense Fund and also organized Blood Donation camps during the Kargil conflict, carried out relief work in the Cyclone affected areas in Orissa, set up emergency relief supplies for the victims of Gujarat Earthquake, besides adopting a village and providing them the necessary relief and rehabilitation infrastructure. IATO has contributed whole heartedly to the Prime Minister's Relief fund, also to help the Government in their efforts during the national Crisis.

IATO has 7 categories of membership Active, Allied, Provisional, Overseas Allied, Associate, Affiliate, Honorary, its active members are recognised by ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

IATO's affairs are managed by an Executive Committee, elected by the Active Members every two years. The Executive Committee is headed by The President with a team of six Office Bearers and 9 Executive Members. The Executive Committee meets every month to discuss current Tourism Industry and Membership Issues. IATO networks through its State Level Chapters at the local level where all local issues are handled at the appropriate level.

IATO has 9 Action Committees, each focused on a specialized area headed by a Convenor assisted by his committee members. They are:

  • Buddhist Tourism Promotion Committee
  • Committee for Civil Aviation Committee (Airlines, Airports)
  • Committee for Sports, Recreation and Culture Committee
  • Committee for Surface Transport, Railways, Cruise and Waterways Committee
  • Hotel Relations Development Committee
  • Hotel Relations Development Committee
  • Legal Affairs and Grievances Committee
  • Road Shows and Overseas Promotion Committee
  • Skill Development & Education Committee
  • Women Empowerment Committee

IATO Organise Its Interactive Meetings with Guest Speakers with High Merits, Govt. Officials, And Principle Industry Stake Holders, Who Delves on the Current Issues with Feedback of Chapter Chairman’s & Head of the Internal Sub Committee Members.  
Unresolved And Major Issues Are Focused And Discussed At The IATO Annual Convention. All IATO Annual Conventions Are Held In Different States Of India Every Year. Different States Vie For Each Other To Hold This National Industry Convention.
The Members Are Updated In The Event And Later Necessary Information Is Circulated To All Our Members Via Whatsapp & Email And As A Healthy And Generous Gesture In The Good Faith / Welfare Of The Tourism Fraternity We Publish The Necessary Information On Our Website On Open To All Basis, So That Our Non-Member Friends From Tourism Fraternity Also Can Get The Access To The Practical And Relevant Information. IATO Believes That Information Is The Prime Fuel In The New Era Of AI, And It Should Reach In The Every Hand Of Our Friend Who Is Active In Tourism.

With the feedback from the Chapters and the Action Committees, unresolved and major issues are focused and discussed at the IATO Annual Convention. All IATO annual conventions are held in different States of India every year. Different States vie for each other to hold this National Industry Convention. 

IATO-Profile, History & Objective

Member & Their benefits

Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) is the national apex body of the tourism industry. Established to unite and represent India’s tour operators, IATO works to promote tourism and advocate for its members' interests.

Membership categories

  • Active Members : A firm or company having an established place of business in India and recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India as Tour Operator including Adventure Tour operator / Travel Agent and its major substantial part of activity of promotion of tourism and foreign exchange earnings in a year is minimum Rs. 25,00,000 (Rupees Twenty Five Lakh only), shall be eligible for membership as an active member of the Association provided an application is made and accepted by the Executive Committee. However, requirement of foreign exchange earnings for the applicant from North East and Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be minimum Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five Lakh only). Only one office of a firm or company shall be admitted as an active member of the Association. The Active Members shall have the right to vote in the proceedings of the association / IATO Elections.
  • Allied Members : Any firm or company, which is regularly engaged or associated with tourism and travel industry such as carrier companies, hoteliers, restaurants, excursion agents, transport contractors, forwarding and clearing agents, shipping companies, state tourism corporations / organizations, hotel marketing representatives / agencies, trade publications / educational institutions / company / corporation / organization in operation for a minimum period of one year and having minimum turnover of Rs. 10 lakh per annum and Rs. 5 lakh per annum for applicants from North East Region and Andaman & Nicobar Island. In case of GreenShoot / Start ups approved by MoT, they can apply for allied membership soon after MoT recognition is granted. This will be valid for initial period of 3 years. The allied members shall have the right to participate in the activities of the association except to vote. They shall have no right to vote in the proceedings of the association/IATO Elections.
  • Associate Members : Any other office including overseas offices of an active or allied member shall be eligible for associate membership of the association. They shall have no right to vote in the proceedings of the association.
  • Affiliate Members :  Any company / firm providing services other than mentioned in Allied Category may apply to be an Affiliate member. They shall have no right to vote in the proceedings of the association / IATO Elections.
  • Honorary Members : The Executive Committee may invite persons, who are Hall of Fame Awardees and distinguished members of the society and / or who have distinguished themselves by their services to the tourism and Travel Industry in the National or International field, to become Honorary Members of the Association. Such members will be invited to the association by the unanimous vote of all the members of the Executive Committee. They shall have no right to vote in the proceedings of the association / IATO Elections. The Executive Committee may at any time create different classes of members and may provide for entrance fees and subscriptions and define their respective rights and privileges. The Executive Committee shall have power to dispense with the payment of the entrance fee / membership fee, if they deem fit. The decision of the Executive committee will be final in all cases.

Action committees

IATO Sub Commitee

1. Road Shows and Overseas Promotion Committee      
2.⁠ ⁠Surface Transport, Air, Railways, Cruise and Waterways Committee 
3.⁠ ⁠Buddhist Tourism Promotion Committee
4.⁠ ⁠Sports, Recreation and Culture Committee
5.⁠ ⁠Women Action Committee            
6.⁠ ⁠Outbound Tourism Committee 

IATO Task Force
1.    Training and Skill Development 
2.    Hotel & Airline Redressal 
3.    Information Technology and Automation