TravTalk India Online Magazine
Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel recently held meetings with travel, tourism and hospitality associations, seeking their view and suggestions on the future of travel and tourism in India and how to move forward. While suggestions have poured in from each association, it now boils down to a wait-and-watch game.
Rajiv Mehra, Vice President, IATO
Firstly, we talked about a common policy for quarantine across the country. We suggested that e-passes also be done away with, as Ministry of Home Affairs has been clear that hassle-free passenger traffic should be permitted between states. We have also suggested that once the government is ready to welcome international tourists, IATO must be consulted to make the policy for e-tourist Visa. It should be free till March 31, 2022 to attract tourists. Then, from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024, not more than $10 should be charged for a one-year visa and not more than $25 for a five-year visa. A self-declaration that the person is COVID-free should be good enough.
PP Khanna, President, ADTOI
We spoke about a Virtual India Travel Mart, since the third edition of ITM, which was due in September, won’t be possible this year. We have even requested for an inter-ministerial task force and inter-state taskforce to be constituted, so that the right information and data is shared with the ministries and stakeholders. We again appealed to the Minister for a comprehensive study on domestic tourism so that we know about hotels, transporters, communication and infrastructure in a particular state. We also suggested that the USP of all states be highlighted to encourage people to explore new destinations that might be less crowded. Nearby destinations should also be clubbed.
Runeep Sangha, Executive Director, PATA India Chapter
There is a need to develop on the ‘One Country, One Rule’ concept. The MOT website should be one point of authentic information for tourists, and if there are any changes, they should first be intimated to MOT so they can update their website accordingly, before information is put into the public domain. Another point we made was that there are over 50 NTOs that are jostling for the attention of FTOs, so we should focus on FTOs, work hand-in-glove with them for promotions and incentives, and if we do that, our returns will be better. On domestic tourism, states should provide relief to people who go on domestic holidays.
Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI and VC, FAITH
As FAITH we suggested that MOT, along with other ministries, create a document of credible information which could come in the newspaper as Ads, to avoid dependence on fake news. We also said that the national carrier should respect agents and not communicate through social media comments, but approach us as associations, like we approach them for our issues. As TAAI, we suggested that every traveller should be carrying an insurance, whether domestic or international. We have also requested the Minister for a meeting with MoCA, because it’s time MOT, PMO and NITI Aayog got together. We need a dialogue on how to restructure the industry.
Pradip Lulla, Acting President and VP, TAFI
One thing we wanted the minister to intervene in was to request DGCA and MoCA to give a directive that refunds due from airlines be given at the earliest. Secondly, we said that there should be an insurance which should be charged on the ticket in the form of a code. This would safeguard passengers and travel agents from airlines that default or go insolvent. The economy is slow and the chances of airlines going into insolvency are real. The government should also have international advertisements to attract tourists, where one can say how India as a destination is safe and what kind of SOPs we are following in hotels.
Capt Swadesh Kumar, President, ATOAI
We suggested that the COVID-19 guidelines, which have been formulated by our association for adventure tourism activities, be accepted by MOT so that they can be circulated to the entire country and state governments. The Ministry should not ignore incoming tourists to the country, and they must indulge in aggressive marketing abroad, so that everyone knows that India still exists. ATOAI also requested the Minister to relax norms for tour operators on approvals related to office space and staff requirement. We also requested MOT to come out with revised MDA guidelines at the earliest, so that the trade can benefit from them when they need them the most.
Inputs by Nisha Verma
