The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) annual convention, which will take place August 30 - September 2 in Mumbai, is one of the most important events in the Indian travel calendar and Gerard Brown, International Tourism Director for Routes has been invited to give a presentation during the event.

Over 1,400 companies are a member of IATO which controls over 90% of all inbound tourism into India. The event attracts delegates from travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines and state tourism boards. In addition to those who are directly involved in tourism it also brings together a strong participation of senior dignitaries from central and state governments in India.

Gerard Brown will present a session entitled New Dynamics in Tourism Development which aims to provide a short synopsis of how tourism visitor numbers have been achieved in the past and how this model is constantly being challenged by the rapid and huge expansion of low cost airlines whose business models, in many cases, prohibit the use of travel agents and tour operators.

As International Tourism Director for Routes Brown works with the world's tourism authorities on improving their air access to source markets and during his presentation will outline the many opportunities which the current dynamic brings to the forefront though it appears that there is little room for the tour operators and travel agents.

"I feel it is important for me to take part in this event as India is a large growth market for Routes and we expect a large delegation from the region to attend the18th World Route Development Forum in Abu Dhabi in September," says Brown, adding; "Our India Pavilion will see representation from, amongst others, the Airports Authority of India, GMR Group, GVK Group, Incredible India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the Government of India whose Joint Secretary, Mr Prashant Sukul will also speak at the World Route Development Strategy Summit. Further to this Routes Asia 2013 will take place in Mumbai next March hosted by Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport."

World Routes, the 18th World Route Development Forum will take place from September 29th to October 2nd, 2012 and is hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and supported by official carrier Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

World Routes is the largest global event of its kind which this year will take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, one of the most easily accessible and centrally located cities on earth. These factors combined look set to make this event the largest World Route Development Forum to date with 3,000 air service industry professionals expected to attend. The event will see worldwide representation from 300 airlines, 1,000 airports, 200 tourism authorities and 250 of the industry's CEO's.

Contributed by UBM Aviation