FAITH, relentless in their effort for revival of tourism
FAITH (Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality) is the national federation of ten national Travel, Tourism and Hospitality associations of India and is considered an apex umbrella association for both the sectors. Subhash Goyal, Chairman, STIC Travel Group & Hon. Secretary, FAITH, speaks to TTJ as he shares how diligently the association is working for the survival of tourism and hospitality sectors reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
FAITH, on behalf of the whole tourism industry, engages in key policy, strategy ideation and budgets with Central and State Governments of India for the growth of the Indian tourism industry since inception.
The ten-member associations are ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, and TAFI. FAITH works with them to take their voices to the concerned authorities. All the associations’ common agenda becomes the common strategy points to be taken up with the Government by FAITH.
FAITH has always been proactive in raising concerns of the tourism and ancillary industries. However, it is important to understand how this strong association has not been able to garner attention or gain support from the Government for recovery during the stimulus package, in-spite of tourism being a huge contributor to the GDP.
Goyal says, “This is not a correct assessment! On the contrary, we have been informed from different sources in the Government, that because FAITH responded so fast with sector loss assessments, that the Government was able to get a first-hand understanding of the damage to the sector. Everybody has acknowledged that so much ‘voice of tourism’ which has happened in the last five months has not happened in the past 50 years.”
Surely enough, FAITH has been in the limelight for voicing many concerns of the tourism and hospitality industry in the last few months and has been successful in getting the Government’s attention.
Recently, they voiced over the negative American Travel Advisory to India with the Tourism Minister to urgently take it up with the Minister of External Affairs. FAITH and its 10 member associations in a multi association meeting with the Ministry of Tourism proposed multi-step strategies for the revival of tourism. These issues were identified to enhance tourism demand while protecting tourism supply in India. FAITH had requested a 24-month extension of the moratorium for tourism and that tourism Asset Classification to stay ‘standard & not NPA’. Also, direct benefit transfer on funds closer to the repo rate increased to 50 per cent from 20 per cent of outstanding under the MSME fund. FAITH had also quoted distress from RBI, GST, IT, UNWTO, and IATA.
FAITH has over the months appealed to RBI, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Tourism, Niti Aayog for structured fiscal and monetary support to the tourism, travel and hospitality industry.
“The biggest impact that has been felt with all the Ministries and State Governments is that now they are fully aware of the problem in the tourism industry. Also, the other big thing to note is the whole industry for the first time is standing together through their associations with FAITH and speaking in one voice,” shares Goyal.
He further adds, “Wherever the Government is in a position to support the industry based upon the resources they have, the Government has been trying to do so. Also, no other sectors have been supported because the major issue for everyone is lack of funds.”
It is to be noted that over the years, FAITH and it’s Associations have successfully worked on e-visa strategy implementation, State Tourism Policies, CENVAT Credit, GST strategy for tourism, SEIS introduction & tradability of scripts, three Travel Marts, two Tourism Ministers meetings, SAARC PM visions, Tourism Policy Draft, five Economic Surveys, introducing of Mega Tourism zones, PPP in Tourism, Iconic destinations, Survival & Revival package, etc, and now the focus is on the cropping concerns due to the pandemic.
The pandemic has been a lesson for the Indian tourism and hospitality sectors on every front. Henceforth, after the gradual recovery, it is important that with so many Associations in India, every association needs to be proactive to protect the interest of its members and the industry, in cases of similar disasters in the future.
“It is time that all associations work together towards common goals and pursue them together,” concludes Goyal.