VIJAYAWADA: Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), in association with Andhra Pradesh tourism department , will organise it’s 34th annual convention in Vishakhapatnam from September 6 to 9 this year.Addressing a press meet, state tourism minister Bhuma Akhila Priya said tour operators play a key role in promoting destinations and attracting foreign tourists. “The IATO covers 90 per cent of the details of Indian Tourism on an international level. AP has several destinations that can be promoted. IATO will play an important role in doing so,” said Andhra Pradesh tourism department MD Himanshu Shukla Akhila Priya said that the state has a coastline of 973 km and important sites for temple tourism. She observed that medical tourism has been fast emerging in the state. When asked on the accessibility of the coastline areas and these locations would be developed, Shukla admitted that a lot of the places are inaccessible. However, the department has identified around 40 potential destinations for being developed with basic infrastructure. “These destinations have been selected based on demand and potential of attracting tourists,” Shukla added.IATO president Pranob Sarkar predicted the state tourism will see 30 per cent growth by next year. Explaining the objective of the convention, Shukla said attracting tourists but showcasing facilities and destinations was the objective of the event.He pointed out that IATO is a think-tank of policy support and the convention will be a place where ideas would emerge as other states’ tourism departments too would showcase their ideas and achievements with focus on Andhra Pradesh. Himanshu Shukla announced that the government is planning to promote eco-tourism with the help of the forest department.

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