Rajnish Kaistha
Paradise Holidays India
The Moving Forward team has like-minded professionals with a good mix of old and new. We have taken three EC members from out of Delhi and it shall give IATO a wider representation. Our profile is of educated and experienced members who are successfully running their tourism business for many years. The pandemic has given much more resilience to work for the industry to bounce back.
The members of our team have experience and strength to survive the pandemic. Tourism is a peacetime activity so obviously, world order needs to be in place. Challenge is to restart tourism and the much-needed vaccination drive shall be over within this period and international borders shall open up. India needs strategic marketing abroad and synergy by both government and private partnerships and roadshows can play a very vital role here. I have realised that it’s not MOT but various other ministries such as Finance, Revenue, Home, etc., that needs to be in sync with IATO and its members to fulfil our needs. I shall definitely work hard to get tourism in the concurrent list of government to get more benefits for the industry.
The tourism sector does not feature in the Centre, State, or Concurrent lists. We suggest that tourism be included in the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India. For this, we need to work hard for lawmakers to understand our requirements and listen to industry voices. This will enable the Centre and States to effectively regulate the sector and frame policies for growth of this highly direct and indirect employment intensive sector.
We suggest that tourism exports are treated at par with other exports and services, and such transactions may be zero rated for GST without stopping the Inflow of input credits. Tourism services provided to foreign tourists in India on receipt of foreign exchange should be treated as “Deemed Export” and exemption of GST should be made available.
Much awaited Mobile app for seamless communication with members shall be worked immediately within a week of being elected. Also, upgrade the IATO secretariat to be more efficient and member-friendly.
The pandemic came as a bolt from the blue and hit 7 billion earthlings as it had never. Brutal as its effects have been, it gave us much-needed time to introspect. Tourism is the first casualty of any geopolitical happening. So, we need to educate our members accordingly to be always prepared for any eventuality. It’s not easy but to get some kind of fund to support members and it can come from something insuring the gratuity for all. At Paradise Holidays, I have supported all my staff during these tough times by insuring the gratuity on an annual basis.