Inbound needs to be in focus

In an exclusive conversation with TravTalk, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, the newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of ITDC, shared his vision on tourism in India and taking ITDC forward.

Manas Dwivedi

In his first interaction with the stakeholders of the industry the monthly interactive luncheon meeting of IATO in Delhi, G Kamala Vardhana Rao said that tourism industry is a very interesting sector. Having worked with Kerala Tourism in the past, he said that a lot of work still needs to be done, especially for the tour operators and to increase the tourist inflow to India.

It is the responsibility of tour operators and stakeholders to work on boosting the number of tourists coming to India

“If you look at the inbound statistics, the figure has not really gone up as expected, considering India’s potential as a destination and every- thing available in the country, whether it is the Himalayas, deserts, flora-fauna, or the wildlife sanctuaries. All these things are not available at one place in other countries, but India has great potential to be one of the greatest destinations in the world. I think, it is the responsibility of all tour operators and stakeholders to work on boosting the number of tourists coming to India,” he said.

Rao, a 1990 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, has recently assumed office as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). His last assignment was as Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Kerala. He has also served as the Secretary of Kerala Tourism in 2014-15.

In a span of close to three decades, Rao has served multiple positions including Chairman of Indian Tobacco Board; Director of Fisheries Department; Director, Department of Tourism and Culture, Andhra Pradesh government.

Incorporated in 1966 with a mandate to develop and expand tourism infrastructure in the country, ITDC presently has a network of four Ashok group of hotels, one joint venture hotel, one restaurant, 12 transport units, 13 duty free shops at seaport, and one sound and light show. ITDC is also managing catering services at Western Court, Vigyan Bhawan, and Hyderabad House.