WTTC spotlight on India

World Travel & Tourism Council-India Initiative, is working together with the stakeholders of the industry through various initiatives. Manav Thadani, Chairman-Asia Pacific, HVS and Chairman, WTTC-II, tells about the recent initiatives of the organisation

Q What are the new initiatives that WTTC-II is planning in 2015?

WTTC-II and HVS have a State Ranking Survey, produced biennially to identify the State performance on various parameters. Based on this survey, we have an award system in place. This is non-partisan and scoring methodology is based on hard facts leading to rankings obtained by the States in the different parameters. We produce this piece of research to lend weight behind the cause of tourism and encourage the States to compete and perform better on the tourism front. The 4th edition of this Survey is due this year. Among the many other initiatives we will focus on the Southern Zonal Tourism Advisory Council (SZTAC), an initiative we had partnered along with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the UTs of Andaman and Lakshwadeep, with the focus on an integrated development of Travel & Tourism in the Southern Region.

Q How important is the WTTC forecast for India?

The WTTC forecast reinforces the fact that Travel & Tourism contributes to jobs, employment, economy and GDP in India. India will have the highest growth of any major country in Travel & Tourism in 2015 due to the recent reform of its visa processes, which has been a barrier to growth till recently. This will radically increase the number of international visitors. Improving the international prominence of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign will definitely aid in increasing tourist flows to different places across the country.

Q What are the other initiatives that the states and other associations could take to boost inbound?

The new Tourism Policy being formulated by the Government of India will be the overarching direction for tourism in India. The implementation of various facets of the Tourism Policy will be a key initiative that the States will have to take. Proper implementation will definitely boost both inbound and domestic tourism. The Associations must play a very important role in supplementing and implementing the responsibilities.

India will have the highest growth of any major country in Travel & Tourism in 2015 due to the recent reform of its visa processes, which has been a barrier to growth till recently. Manav Thadani Chairman-Asia Pacific, HVS and Chairman, WTTC-II