BARRIERS TO YACHT TOURISM

■ HIGH TAXATION, lack of infrastructure and rising pollution levels are impeding the growth of yacht tourism in India, an industry expert has pointed out.

■ 60% TAX in India on imports of yachts is discouraging industry players from bringing luxurious boats into the country, Gulu Lalvani, the chairman of Royal Phuket Marina, told visiting Indian journalists on the sidelines of a yacht exhibition here.

■ LALVANI said India with its vast coastline has a great potential for the yacht industry and creating jobs.

■ BUT RISING pollution levels and lack of port base and berthing facilities are major challenges to growth, Lalvani noted.