ES. Uday Tours and Travel has been a key player in Indian tourism since 1990. What has been your vision for the company, and how has it adapted to changing traveller preferences and digital trends?
Rajiv Mehra. Since 1990, Uday Tours and Travel has aimed to deliver authentic, high-quality Indian experiences with personalized service. Our vision blends tradition with innovation-adapting to evolving traveler preferences through curated itineraries, sustainable practices, and digital integration. Embracing tech, we’ve enhanced customer engagement, real-time support, and global outreach while retaining our human touch.
Blending Tradition with Innovation in Indian Tourism
ES. What are your strategic priorities to drive growth and global visibility for Indian tour operators, especially in the post-pandemic era?
Rajiv Mehra. Our strategic priorities include strengthening international marketing through trade shows and digital platforms, forging global partnerships, and promoting diversified circuits beyond the traditional routes. We aim to build capacity through training, advocate policy support, and ensure quality standards—positioning Indian tour operators as globally competitive and resilient in the post-pandemic era.
ES. You’ve played a crucial role in IATO’s annual conventions. How do such platforms contribute to industry collaboration, and what innovations can we expect in upcoming editions?
Rajiv Mehra. It contributes through its meaningful inagaural, strategic business sessions, focused state presentations, India Tourism Fair addressing b2b meetings, a well-appointed valedictory session and the famed post tours. There always has been a constant innovation and upgradation in all the above facets . This year too the same wil be there and key elements for the 4oth Convention are still evolving.
ES. Having travelled to over 30 countries, what international practices or policies do you believe India could adopt to enhance its competitiveness as a global tourism destination?
Rajiv Mehra. India can adopt simplified visa processes, integrated tourism infrastructure, unified digital booking platforms, and strong public-private partnerships seen in leading destinations. Emphasizing cleanliness, accessibility, multilingual signage, and sustainability standards will enhance visitor experience. Adopting such global best practices can significantly boost India’s appeal and competitiveness as a world-class destination.
ES. In your view, what are the essential ingredients that make these large-scale industry events like IATO’s annual conventions truly impactful and valuable for stakeholders?
Rajiv Mehra. Successful IATO conventions blend insightful content, strong government-industry dialogue, innovative B2B networking, and regional showcases. Meticulous planning, engaging sessions, and inclusive participation ensure relevance. By addressing current challenges, promoting new opportunities, and fostering collaboration, these events become powerful platforms for growth, learning, and strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem.
