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