Pitching for policy changes
Voicing opinions on executing and implementing policy changes to bring about changes in the industry, winners of India Travel Awards and India MiCE Awards put forward their suggestions to the government.
Best Debut Hotel Aloft New Delhi Aerocity
According to Suman Gahlot, General Manager, Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, the government should provide tax relief to hoteliers. “GST should be reduced to 10-12 per cent of special rates charged currently. They should also be a twoprice level based taxation structure. (`7499 and above ` 7500).” She also voiced for improved infrastructure for better connectivity within Delhi and to the Golden Triangle region connecting Agra and Jaipur at a faster pace. She said that the industry needs to explore the unexplored and offer new destinations to travellers.
Best Sports Tourism Company Greynomad
Raunak Jana, CEO, Greynomad, feels that the government should welcome start-ups with tax holidays. “Promoting start-ups in the industry will be a welcome step. They should provide can sustain and grow in a healthy environment. Tax incentives for the existing and upcoming ventures will be highly appreciated by the tourism fraternity. Also, special incentives for Lower Income Groups (LIG) and specially-abled people should be provided by the government in the industry,” he said.
Best Debut Business Hotel Fern Goregaon, Mumbai
Sujith Gopinath, General Manager, The Fern Goregaon, Mumbai addresses the need to make travel more affordable, improve infrastructure and ensure availability of resources for all segments of the society. “Augmenting tourism infrastructure, easing of visa regime, assurance of quality standards in services of tourism service providers, projecting the country as a year-round destination, promoting sustainable tourism, etc. are some of the policy areas which need to be constantly worked upon to facilitate tourism in India,” he said.
Best Tour Operator — Outbound SK Tours & Travels
For Salil Karulkar, Founder, SK Tours & Travels, reforms in the current tax structure is the primary need of the industry. “GST has been harsh to travel agents. The government needs to reduce the GST rates and tax must be charged not make any point to pay tax again on the total package. This is the policy that requies change. The government should also control, regulate demand and low supply-like situation,” he said.