Where the journey began
Started as a tour executive at Paradise Tours, building a grounding in the daily work of welcoming visitors and delivering travel experiences. Remained with the company until 1995.
A LIFE IN INDIAN TOURISM · SINCE 1989
Connecting India
with the world.
Sunil Mishra
Honorary Secretary, IATO
Managing Director, Cosmos Travels & Tours
From welcoming travellers to shaping industry conversations. A journey built on relationships, destination expertise, and a commitment to Indian tourism.
Explore my journeyEXPERIENCE. PERSPECTIVE. PURPOSE.
INDIA, IN A WIDER CONVERSATION.1989 — TODAY
Since 1989A career in the travel trade
IATOHonorary Secretary
41st ConventionChairman · Visakhapatnam, 2026
01 / THE JOURNEY
Built on experience.
Growing through trust.
More than three decades of bringing people closer to India—its heritage, its landscapes, and its living traditions.
A broader international perspective
Joined Orient Express, handling travellers from Israel and, later, Europe and the United States. This period deepened an understanding of different markets and the expectations that shape memorable journeys.
A partnership at Cosmos
Merged his own business with Cosmos Travels & Tours and became a partner alongside Mr. J. P. Singh. Developed inbound tourism from China, Taiwan, and other Far East markets.
From business experience to industry service
Brings an operator’s perspective to IATO leadership: working for stronger international promotion, better connectivity, responsible tourism, and greater opportunity across India’s travel trade.
A PRACTITIONER’S PERSPECTIVE
Depth in the details.
Scale in the experience.
Specialist experience across Buddhist circuits, cultural journeys, wildlife, and luxury tourism. Work in Buddhist tourism has included collaboration with Sino Travel in Taiwan and a Rinpoche.
500–600
Guests in a single luxury charter group
Under Sunil’s leadership, his team independently handled luxury charter groups from Taiwan at this scale.
02 / INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
A larger opportunity.
A shared responsibility.
The recent chapter of the journey centres on IATO: representing the trade, building dialogue, and helping create conditions for Indian tourism to grow.
Making the case for inbound India
Served as IATO’s Honorary Treasurer, including re-election for the 2023–25 term, before becoming Honorary Secretary in 2025. His advocacy focuses on international promotion, easier access, and the practical needs of inbound operators.
Leadership coverageOpening more paths to India
Consistent engagement with government, tourism partners, and airlines to encourage stronger tourism links with China, Taiwan, and Cambodia. The goal is to expand opportunity for the wider industry through better access and sustained market development.
Convening the industry in Visakhapatnam
Chaired the 41st IATO Annual Convention, bringing destinations, operators, and policymakers into conversation around India’s next tourism opportunities.
About the convention
GROWTH WITH RESPONSIBILITY
The places we promote
are places we must protect.
Cleaner destinations, less single-use plastic, and greater accountability for tourism’s environmental footprint are part of Sunil’s approach to industry leadership.
Responsible tourism was a focus of the 41st IATO Convention, including a carbon-audit initiative to better understand the event’s impact. His wider advocacy includes participation in IATO’s Swachh Paryatan Abhiyaan.
Read the convention coverage03 / IN THE MEDIA
Perspectives from
the travel trade.
Selected reporting and industry conversations on tourism recovery, international markets, and the future of inbound India.
CHINA DAILYJULY 2025 · INTERNATIONAL TOURISM
India woos China tourists in visa change
On collaboration, e-visas, joint promotion, and readiness to welcome Chinese travellers.
THE ECONOMIC TIMESNOVEMBER 2025 · MARKET ACCESS
Chinese tourists come knocking, but India’s doors barely open
An operator’s view of the practical barriers affecting inbound travel from China.
TRAVEL TRADE JOURNALINDIA–CHINA TOURISM
India’s China inbound recovery hangs in the balance
Industry perspectives on turning traveller interest into successful visits.
ET TRAVELWORLDMARCH 2023 · INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
IATO elections: continuity in industry service
Coverage of Sunil’s unopposed re-election as Honorary Treasurer for 2023–25.
ET TRAVELWORLD2020 · TOURISM RECOVERY
Unlocking Tourism — India is Ready
Taking part in a trade-led campaign to rebuild confidence in travel.
04 / MOMENTS & CONNECTIONS
Leadership happens
in the company of others.
LET’S CONNECT
Good conversations.
Meaningful possibilities.
For industry dialogue, speaking invitations,
and professional connections.
SUNIL MISHRAHonorary Secretary, IATO · Managing Director, Cosmos Travels & Tours