Andhra Pradesh has invited India’s inbound travel trade to partner with the state to unlock its vast tourism potential and position it as one of the country’s next major destinations for tourism growth. Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism, Culture & Cinematography, Government of Andhra Pradesh, extended the invitation while addressing members of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and the media in New Delhi ahead of the 41st IATO Annual Convention and IATO–Andhra Pradesh Travel Mart 2026, which will be held at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach from 10 to 13 September 2026.
“I have not come merely to invite you to the convention. I have come to invite you to partner with Andhra Pradesh in building India’s next major tourism success story,” Durgesh said.
Describing Andhra Pradesh as “a destination waiting to be discovered,” the minister highlighted the state’s diverse tourism portfolio, encompassing spirituality, heritage, beaches, nature, adventure, tribal experiences, cuisine and culture. From Tirumala-Tirupati, Srisailam and Lepakshi to Gandikota, Araku, Rajahmundry and the Godavari, he said the state offers a wide range of experiences that can add significant value to international travel itineraries.
The minister called upon IATO members to work closely with Andhra Pradesh Tourism to develop and promote new tourism circuits and products centred on pilgrimage, Buddhist tourism, coastal and heritage tourism, rural and tribal experiences, adventure, cruise and river tourism, MICE, weddings, cuisine, crafts and handlooms. Highlighting the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu 2027, Shri Durgesh said the once-in-twelve-years celebration would provide a significant opportunity to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s spiritual and cultural heritage to millions of visitors from across India and overseas.
Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, thanked the minister for his personal engagement with the travel trade and reaffirmed IATO’s commitment to working with Andhra Pradesh Tourism to take the destination to international markets.
“Andhra Pradesh has all the ingredients to become a major international tourism destination. Our objective through this convention is not only to showcase the State but also to enable our members to create new products and take Andhra Pradesh into the itineraries of overseas travellers,” Gosain said.
Sunil Mishra, Secretary, IATO, informed that the convention had already surpassed 350 registrations, with more registrations still coming in. He said the strong response reflected the growing interest among the travel trade in Andhra Pradesh as an emerging tourism destination.
Sanjay Razdan, Vice President, IATO, said the convention programme had been designed around key issues shaping the future of Indian tourism, including artificial intelligence and technology, sustainable tourism, high-growth tourism opportunities and strategic partnerships for tourism development. He also highlighted the cultural evenings planned during the convention, which will feature prominent artists and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh.
Rajnish Kaistha, Senior Vice President, IATO, underlined the importance of strong government-industry collaboration in translating tourism potential into tangible visitor growth. He thanked the Government of Andhra Pradesh for its support of the convention and Shri Durgesh for participating in the interactive meeting and press conference with the travel trade and media.
The 41st IATO Annual Convention and IATO–Andhra Pradesh Travel Mart 2026, scheduled from 10 to 13 September, will bring together leading inbound tour operators and tourism stakeholders from across India. The event is expected to provide a platform for the travel trade to explore new business opportunities, develop marketable tourism products and promote Andhra Pradesh across domestic and international markets.
