International Collaborations
IATO organised an interaction meeting with delegation from Mauritius headed by Minister of Tourism H.E. Michael Yuang Sik Yuen at Hotel Ashok on July 13, 2012. It was attended by EC members and there was five members delegation of Mauritius, which included HE High Commissioner of Mauritius and Dy. Director (Tourism) from Mauritius and Embassy officials. The main objective of this meeting was to discuss how best the two way traffic be increased between India and Mauritius. Subhash Goyal, President, IATO expressed about the deep interest which Indian hold about Mauritius and how Indians tour operators are keen to develop close cooperation with Mauritius travel trade industry. Possibility of bilateral trade educational tours was also discussed. Goyal also talked about having impact result oriented B to B meetings by involving Mauritius travel trade and Tourism Department and Indian travel and hospitality industry.
IATO Executive Committee organised an interactive meeting with delegation from Bulgaria headed by Minister of Tourism Delian Dobrev on 14th October, 2012 at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. The objective was to look into the possibilities of promoting two way tourism traffic between India and Bulgaria. IATO President, Subhash Goyal, talked about the potential of Indian market which can be nurtured with educational tours for the travel trade from both the countries.
IATO Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Japan Tourism Giant.
In a significant move to strengthen tourism ties between India and Japan, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) with strength of 2000+ members recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key Japanese tourism entities: the Okinawa-India Friendship Association (OIFA) and the Onna Village Tourism Association of Japan. This agreement, formalized in New Delhi on February 20, 2025, aims to significantly boost bilateral tourism.
The core objectives of this MoU include fostering mutual cooperation, identifying and removing barriers to travel between India and Okinawa, and facilitating the exchange of crucial tourism data, investment opportunities, and economic insights within the travel and hospitality sectors.
Both IATO and its Japanese counterparts will undertake joint marketing activities, including participating in each other's tourism events, to promote both inbound and outbound tourism. This collaboration is expected to enhance travel experiences for visitors, strengthen tourism infrastructure, and create new avenues for cultural exchange and investment between the two nations. It underscores the shared interest in leveraging tourism as a bridge to deepen bilateral relations and contribute to the economic prosperity of both India and Japan.
IATO Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Nepal Association of Tour Operators.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATO) marks a pivotal moment for tourism development and employment generation in both countries. This strategic alliance, formalized during the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM 2025) in Kathmandu, goes beyond mere cooperation; it lays a robust framework for unlocking the full potential of cross-border tourism.
A key emphasis of this MoU is on accelerating tourism development. By facilitating B2B meetings, enabling joint promotional campaigns, and encouraging participation in major trade shows, the agreement will streamline the travel experience and make India and Nepal more attractive to international and domestic tourists. This means more diverse tour packages, better infrastructure development, and a concerted effort to promote unique cultural, spiritual (like the Buddhist circuit), adventure, and heritage trails that connect both nations. This collective approach to marketing and product development is crucial for expanding the tourism footprint of the region as a whole.
Crucially, the ripple effect of this enhanced tourism development will be a significant boost to employment generation. Tourism is a highly labour-intensive sector, creating direct jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tour guiding, and handicraft industries. Beyond direct employment, it also generates indirect jobs in linked sectors like agriculture (for food supply to hotels), construction (for new tourism infrastructure), and retail. For economies like India and Nepal, where job creation is a priority, a thriving tourism sector means more opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled, and even unskilled workers, across various income brackets. The MoU's focus on knowledge exchange and digital tools will also empower local businesses and individuals, fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth. This collaborative effort is poised to significantly contribute to the livelihoods of countless individuals and families in both countries.
IATO Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesian Tours & Travel Agents (ASITA).
The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has a long-standing and significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Indonesian Tours & Travel Agents (ASITA). This agreement, dating back to at least 2002, is a cornerstone of bilateral tourism promotion between India and Indonesia.
The core of this MoU is a reciprocal arrangement designed to enhance mutual tourism flow. It involves both associations granting honorary international memberships to each other's members – 3000 ASITA members becoming honorary IATO members and 2000+ IATO members becoming honorary ASITA members. This facilitates closer ties and direct business interactions between tour operators in both countries.
Beyond membership, the MoU outlines a commitment to exchange tourism promotion materials, share information on tourism development policies and investment opportunities, and cooperate in human resource development within the industry. This collaborative framework aims to streamline travel, remove barriers, and jointly market India and Indonesia as attractive destinations, ultimately fostering a stronger, more integrated regional tourism landscape.