'Year of Domestic Tourism'
Sharing his view with the Minister, PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), said that his primary concern is the cash flow issue for the small and medium tour operators. Responding to the concern, the Minister said detailed recommendations have already been sent to the Ministry of Finance. Khanna added, “We are trying our best if we can get relief package from the ministry.”
Taking up the issue of licensing in the tourism industry and terming it as a need, Khanna said that by and large, the industry is organised and such a move will regulate the industry in the right direction. “This is where tourism lacks in getting an industry status from the government. There is a need to have a national tourism database, which can give everybody an idea about how many people are working in the industry and what kind of impact tourism has. Licensing should be taken seriously now and relevant data should be put on the website with the details of registered tour operators,” he said.
Emphasising on domestic tourism and its need, demand and popularity in the post-COVID-19 era, Khanna said that the government should take concrete steps to promote domestic tourism aggressively in the country. “I believe, from now and till 2021, the year should be declared as the year of domestic tourism. Even our Prime Minister is asking to focus on domestic tourism so the ministry should also think about this and take steps to push domestic tourism in the country. This is the right time to push domestic tourism in the right way required,” the ADTOI President said.
He also asked for a national policy on guiding people on how to promote domestic tourism, which can also comprise a national task force for domestic tourism, to work together with states, Centre, travel trade, hotels and other stakeholders. The Minister agreed on having a comprehensive study on patterns and behaviour of tourists, and collecting data from state governments. Apart from this, Khanna also demanded revision in MDA norms and funds for domestic tour operators. According to him, the current given funds are not enough to set up booths and stalls at travel and trade fairs.
This is the right time to push domestic tourism in the right way required
In continuation with its effort to highlight the issues and concerns of the outbound industry to those in office of power,
Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, met the Minister to discuss the woes of the tourism sector. During a detailed meeting, he enumerated the relief the association is seeking from the government to help sail the travel fraternity through this tough time. OTOAI, since long, has been advocating a five-point agenda, comprising roll-back of the TCS, not make PAN card mandatory for foreign remittances for foreign nationals and non-resident Indians, grant relief from GST, allow outbound tour operators to take interest-free loans and expansion of working capital.
“The Tourism Minister listened patiently to all that we had to say and was extremely sympathetic and understanding regarding all the issues. He has assured us that roll-back of TCS, not making PAN card necessary for foreign remittances for foreign nationals and NRIs will be taken up with the government on priority. The honourable Minister is hopeful that all these discussions will have a positive outcome and that relief on these fronts will be announced soon. We are also keeping our fingers crossed for the same,” said Munshi.
Some additional points which were discussed during the meeting were the possibility of introducing licensing requirements for operating travel and tourism businesses and about capital inducement for MSME agents, which is currently only available for existing customers who are availing overdraft or loan facilities. The Minister assured that he will look into these points as well. Meanwhile, OTOAI, through various social media updates and press support, is working judiciously to highlight the concerns of the outbound tour operators at various forums. In the wake of an abundance of webinars taking place in the industry, the OTOAI President said there won’t be any association-specific webinars for OTOAI members. “I do not think there is a need. Even if we plan, we would like to do it sometime in June or when the situation is normal and people are back to their business,” he said.
The Minister assured us that roll-back of TCS will be taken up with the government on priority