An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, (MPTB) and The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in Bhopal to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in research, promotion and tourism development in Madhya Pradesh.
The MoU was signed by Sheo Shekhar Shukla, IAS, Managing Director – Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) and Rajiv Mehra, President – Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). Vivek Shrotriya, IAS, Additional Managing Director- MPTB, Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director- MPTB, Ravi Gosain, Vice President – IATO and Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman – IATO Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh Chapter witnessed the MoU signing ceremony.
MPTB and IATO agreed to assist each other to promote tourism to the state by organizing travel visits to destination of Madhya Pradesh; organizing familiarization trips of Madhya Pradesh; marketing & awareness through all possible means; exchange of publication, reports and other academic materials; Co-organize Travel and Tourism trade events/exhibitions; and Promoting Tourism Destinations through Media and PR.
According to the release, “MPTB shall provide Madhya Pradesh Tourism specific brochures and publicity materials to IATO which IATO will share with its large membership base and foreign tour operators through its members in order to promote tourism destinations in Madhya Pradesh and rural tourism destinations. IATO will also share the information with potential investors in IATO membership for Capital Investment subsidy for creation of Tourism infrastructure and to establish Tourism Projects etc. by way of investment and interest subsidy with an intention to promote investment in Madhya Pradesh. IATO will also share the information with the foreign tour operators through its members regarding Madhya Pradesh Film Tourism Policy and motivate foreign film-makers through FTOs to shoot films in location of Madhya Pradesh and get all the available benefits.”
MPTB and IATO will jointly identify some lessor known but potential tourism sites for developing and marketing amongst tourists and create new circuits, itineraries depending upon available approach to the sites and comfortable accommodation at those locations.
During the signing of MoU, it was also discussed to organize the 39th IATO Annual Convention in Bhopal in September 2024.