India now has not one, but two additions in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Just a day after Santiniketan, the historic place in West Bengal associated with poet Rabindranath Tagore, received the UNESCO World Heritage tag, Karnataka‘s Hoysala temples have bagged a space on the list.
This recognition marks the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and the fourth in Karnataka, a state celebrated for its rich cultural heritage.
The 12th-century Hoysala era temples of Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapura were officially designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysals hold immense historical significance, marking a pivotal stage in the evolution of Hindu temple architecture. According to a UNESCO statement, these have been recognised for their unique architectural marvels, a large-scale sculptural gallery, a multi-tiered frieze, intricate carvings, and historical significance.
Santiniketan, a university town over 160 km from Kolkata, was originally an ashram built by Rabindranath Tagore’s father Debendranath Tagore, where anyone, irrespective of caste and creed, could come and meditate on the one Supreme God, according to a description of the landmark on the official website of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
The Hoysala temples, with their innate stone carvings and cultural importance, have long been cherished as tourist destinations in Karnataka, drawing visitors from around the world. Taking to platform X, Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah expressed happiness and pride in this achievement. “Our government is committed to providing world-class infrastructure and safety to tourists visiting the state’s tourist destinations”, the CM said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his congratulations, stating, “The magnificent Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The timeless beauty and intricate details of the Hoysala temples are a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage and the exceptional craftsmanship of our ancestors.”
This dual recognition is a reminder of the nation’s commitment to preserving its cultural legacy. With Santiniketan and the Hoysala temples now joining the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India aims to safeguard its historical treasures, showcasing its heritage to the world.
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Rajiv Mehra, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), has announced that the 40th IATO Annual Convention will take place in Puri, Odisha in September 2025. According to Mehra, the proposal to hold the convention in Puri was submitted and accepted by the Odisha Government’s Tourism Department. This will be IATO’s third Annual Convention in Odisha, following the 24th Annual Convention in Bhubaneswar in 2008 and the 33rd IATO Annual Convention in 2017.
The 33rd IATO Annual Convention held in 2017 at the Mayfair Convention Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was then inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik. The event was a great success and was attended by about 900 delegates from all over the country. Mehra expects that Puri will be an attractive destination for IATO members, and the convention is expected to be attended by around 1,000 delegates.
Mehra also expressed his gratitude to Aswini Kumar Patra, Tourism Minister of Odisha, and Odisha Tourism for accepting IATO’s proposal.
The venue for the 39th IATO Annual Convention is also being finalised and will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the stage is set for the association’s 38th Convention, which is taking place in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Formerly called Aurangabad) from September 29 – October 2.
The convention is expected to be attended by over 900 delegates, with participation from over 25 state tourism departments. IATO announced a curtain raiser event for the convention in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) to share details related to the convention. The theme of the convention is “Inbound Tourism and Emerging Sustainable Trends”.
According to Rajnish Kaistha, Senior Vice President, IATO, this year’s convention is significant and will put IATO in the spotlight in a small town. “The Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are India’s first two UNESCO heritage sites since 1983, will be the backdrop of the convention. The Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, Deputy Dy Chief Ministers Devendra Fdvanis, and Ajit Pawar will be there. Even the leader of opposition, Amandas Danve, is working towards the promotion of tourism in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. This positive willingness of PPP mode will help take tourism in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to new heights,” he said. Many IATO members have already registered, and he said IATO is expecting around 1,000 attendees “Familiarisation tours will be organized for the members to showcase the best of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and its surroundings. This will enable them to market these sites to their FTOs and guests abroad,” he added.
According to Kaistha, the city needs more air connectivity to attract more tourists, and the airport there is geared to take 3 to 4 times more flights. “Our convention will cover important sessions that will focus on synergy with state governments, hotels, cruises, and digital knowledge for our members. We will also focus on sustainability, both by reducing carbon footprints and finding ways to sustain tourism post-Covid,” he mentioned in a conversation with ETTravelWorld.
The convention will be a game-changer for the region as it will help upgrade the infrastructure and generate employment opportunities in the future.
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