State bags ‘Best Emerging Tourist Destination’ award at 41st IATO annual convention in Visakhapatnam
TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 13, 2026: Chhattisgarh showcased its diverse tourism potential, including its forests, waterfalls, tribal traditions, archaeological sites and religious destinations, at the 41st Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in Visakhapatnam.
The State was also conferred the ‘Best Emerging Tourist Destination’ award at the four-day convention, held from September 10 to 13 at Novotel Varun Beach. The convention was organised around the theme ‘India — The Next Big Hub for Global Tourism Opportunities’ and brought together tourism departments, tour operators, travel agents and industry representatives from across the country.
The convention provided Chhattisgarh an opportunity to present its tourism offerings to the national travel trade and explore avenues for attracting domestic and international tourists.
Nature, heritage and tribal culture highlighted
At the convention, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board presented the State’s tourism potential through a video presentation highlighting its forests, waterfalls, wildlife, tribal traditions, archaeological heritage and adventure tourism destinations.
The State’s tourism profile was presented as a combination of nature, history, spirituality, culture and tribal life. The waterfalls and forests of Bastar, archaeological heritage of Sirpur, religious destinations in Dantewada and the State’s tribal and folk traditions were among the attractions highlighted before travel agents and tour operators.
The discussions also focused on developing nature-based, religious, historical, cultural and tribal tourism in an integrated manner. The role of local communities in tourism activities and the potential for creating employment and expanding economic opportunities through tourism were also discussed.
Travel agents and tour operators were encouraged to include Chhattisgarh destinations in their itineraries and promote the State as an emerging tourism destination.
Tourism Board pavilion draws travel trade
The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board pavilion attracted travel agents and tour operators, with several B2B meetings held with registered stakeholders and tourism representatives.
The meetings focused on tourism packages, destinations and itineraries and provided an opportunity to explore partnerships between the State’s tourism stakeholders and the travel trade. Discussions were also held on developing new tourism products and strategies to increase tourist footfall.
An Indian Tourism Fair was organised alongside the convention on September 11 and 12, providing a platform for tourism departments, tour operators and industry representatives from different States to hold business meetings and establish new networks.
Tourism Board chairman participates in deliberations
Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Chairman Nilu Sharma participated in the convention and highlighted the State’s tourism potential during discussions on tourism development. He was also felicitated at the event.
The convention was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh and Andhra Pradesh Special Chief Secretary Shamsher Singh Rawat, besides representatives of the tourism and travel industry from across the country.
The State’s participation in the convention is expected to provide greater visibility to Chhattisgarh’s emerging tourism destinations and create opportunities for collaboration with the national and international travel trade.
