TravTalk India Online Magazine
PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), talks about working in coordination with the industry, the Ministry of Tourism, as well as other associations to boost domestic tourism. He also believes that the ministerial change for the Northeast would help promote tourism in the region.
Nisha Verma
While the restart of domestic tourism shall rejoice the industry, there are concerns at the same time as revenge tourism might result in inviting the third wave. Agrees PP Khanna, “As expected, because of relaxation in protocols after the second wave, people started travelling. Many domestic destinations saw a lot of travellers owing to restrictions in outbound and inbound. However, there were complaints that not only the travellers, but also the hotels and other service providers were not adhering to the SOPs and protocols. While we agree with the excitement with the return of business, we need to be responsible. Hence, we have written to all the hotel associations like HAI, FHRAI, IHHA, etc. to request the hotels to look into it seriously and to ask hotel chains to follow the SOPs.
MOT registration
Sharing that in his meeting with the MOT, he urged the officials to approve tour operators despite them not having certificates from hospitality/ tourism institutes, Khanna informed, “We have many members with 5-20 years of experience and want to register with the MOT. Unfortunately, they don’t have any certificate from IHM, IITTM or AICTE, which is required for at least one person in a company for registering under MOT. We have met with Rupinder Brar, ADG Tourism, and she said that they would look into it and they understand that those having good experience shall be considered for registration.”
Hotels in MDA
He also discussed with MOT that they appreciate the government’s move to have domestic tour operators under MDA scheme and give the assistance to them four times in a year, up to Rs1.35,000. He said, “When the draft came to us for verification, it mentioned that for digital marketing or attending any travel mart across India, this money would include cost of stall, air fare/train fare and also the hotels. However, in the final draft hotels were not included. Hence, we have requested the ADG to include hotels, even though the amount is not increased. MOT has been very positive & cooperative about it and they consider our requests to work on them speedily.”
Relief measures by Finance Minister
Praising the Finance Minister for the recent relief measures, Khanna said, “It is the first time in history that the Finance Ministry has recognised the tourism industry. We were in talks with them, as well as with Ministry of Commerce, NITI Aayog and MOT regarding bailout package for tour operators post COVID, but nothing happened. However, now the package they have announced is only for MOT recognised tour operators, which is only around 900. Also, for them, the loan amount is only up to Rs 10 lakh on 100% guarantee, and that too at almost 10% interest. This is disappointing as by having good relations with a bank can get us less interest rate than that. We are requesting the Finance Ministry to lower the rate of interest, so that we are able to revive our business.”
