Heavenly Vietnam Tour & Travelpedia
Related Articles
A high-level delegation from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) met the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, H.E. Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan yesterday to deliberate on critical issues impacting the state’s tourism industry and to explore collaborative initiatives to enhance Manipur’s visibility in global markets.
The delegation was led by Mr. Ravi Gosain, President – IATO, accompanied by Mr. Rajiv Mehra, Immediate Past President, Mr. Radhakrishna Sharma, IATO State In-charge – Manipur, and Mr. E.B. Blah, IATO State In-charge – Meghalaya.
During the interaction, the delegation apprised the Hon’ble Governor of several challenges faced by tour operators and stakeholders in the region, specifically:
Restrictions and procedural complexities associated with the Protected Area Permit (PAP) system, which continue to discourage international tourists.
Inadequate air connectivity and inadequate infrastructure, which impacts tourist mobility.
Need for comprehensive and strategic tourism promotion initiatives, particularly in international markets, to position Manipur as a competitive destination.
The IATO team assured its support for the growth of tourism in Manipur, emphasizing the need for streamlined permit processes, improvements in connectivity and participation in international travel marts.
The Hon’ble Governor appreciated the constructive suggestions and expressed commitment to support initiatives that would strengthen Manipur’s tourism ecosystem and contribute to socio-economic development in the region.
Earlier, on 26th November 2025, Mr. Ravi Gosain and Mr. Rajiv Mehra attended and addressed the 3rd Manipur Tourism Congress, organized by Manipur Tourism. Speaking during a panel discussion on “Partnership for Progress”, Mr. Gosain highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between government bodies, tourism associations, and private stakeholders to drive sustainable tourism growth. He emphasized IATO’s willingness to support smaller and emerging destinations through its extensive national and international network, enabling wider visibility for Manipur among global tour operators and travelers.
