Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) honoured Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO of IHCL, with the prestigious Hall of Fame award at the 39th IATO Annual Convention.
In recognition of Puneet Chhatwal’s outstanding contributions to the Indian tourism industry and the pivotal role he has played in transforming the hospitality landscape, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Government of India, and Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh presented the award on 30th August in a ceremony in Bhopal.
ATO President Rajiv Mehra Praises Puneet Chhatwal’s Leadership
Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “Puneet’s strategic vision and ability to anticipate market trends have propelled IHCL to new heights contributing significantly to the broader tourism sector in India. This Hall of Fame award is a recognition of his relentless pursuit of growth and his commitment to elevating India’s position in global tourism. We congratulate him on this well-deserved honour and look forward to witnessing further milestones under his leadership.”
IATO President Shri Rajiv Mehra delivered the welcome address, assuring that IATO members will work towards bringing more tourists to Madhya Pradesh. As a gesture of respect, Shri Mehra presented statues of Lord Shri Krishna to Deputy Chief Minister Shri Shukla and Minister of State Shri Lodhi. Shri Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman of IATO’s Madhya Pradesh Chapter, expressed his gratitude to the attendees.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla Outlines Vision for India’s Economic Superpower Status by 2047
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla, speaking at the 39th IATO session at Hotel Taj, highlighted India’s path to becoming an economic superpower by 2047 under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership. He emphasized the need for three key revolutions: the Green Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the Tourism Revolution. Shri Shukla also noted the important role IATO will play in driving the tourism revolution in both India and Madhya Pradesh.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla emphasized the importance of promoting tourist destinations to attract visitors. He noted that through this convention, IATO members would gain a deeper understanding of Madhya Pradesh’s tourism offerings and share this knowledge with potential travellers. This effort, he said, will lead to a significant increase in foreign tourists visiting the state. Shri Shukla encouraged IATO tour and travel operators to actively promote Madhya Pradesh’s tourist spots to international visitors and inspire them to explore the region.
Madhya Pradesh Set to Become a Leading Tourism Destination, Says Minister Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi
Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, and Religious Trusts, Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh will become a top destination for tourism in India. He highlighted the crucial role IATO will play in increasing tourist numbers in the state. Shri Lodhi shared details of Madhya Pradesh’s tourism offerings and the government’s efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure. He mentioned that after the convention, IATO members would experience the state’s natural beauty, historical heritage, and rich culture firsthand through post-convention tours. Shri Lodhi encouraged IATO members to actively promote Madhya Pradesh and attract more tourists to the state.
A total of 350 IATO members will explore Madhya Pradesh through FAM tours, designed to showcase the state’s natural beauty, rich history, culture, and diverse wildlife to global tourists. These members will visit key destinations such as Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, Rewa, Pachmarhi, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, and Sanchi to learn about the attractions and tourism facilities available. The tours are part of 10 scheduled FAM tours aimed at promoting Madhya Pradesh as a prime tourist destination.
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