Tourism Minister supports demand for ‘infrastructure status’ for tourism industry

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Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 31st Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Convention at The Grand Bhagwati in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture revealed that the Ministry has proposed to the Union Finance Minister for conferring the ‘Infrastructure status’ on the tourism industry. Sharma said that tourism is an industry of perception and a big hue and cry made out of a single event in India which deters a number of travellers to come down to India. Thus the press needs to play an important role in portraying the image of our destination responsibly. Moreover, cleanliness and hospitality are an individual subject and all of us as stakeholders need to gear up with the same as stakeholders of the tourism industry. “I urge you all to act as partners and ambassadors of India tourism and contribute towards making India a safe and clean destination for tourists,” he said.

Agreeing with the same former statement, Subhash Goyal, President, IATO added that media needs to understand its responsibility and create a positive image of the country to boost tourist footfall. Simultaneously, Goyal also highlighted other issues related to e-tourist visa such as implementation of multiple-entry, extension of validity to 60-days and facility to apply for e-tourist visa six months beforehand. Expressing his gratitude towards Air India on offering 25kg check-in baggage for economy class passengers and 10kg of free baggage allowance for infants for travel till February 7, 2016, Goyal termed it as a great support and in turn urged all to book air travel through the national carrier. Outlining other concerns, Goyal averred that there is a dire need to stabilise air fares and fix an upper limit for all the domestic airlines. He informed that IATO would soon be meeting Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu post the convention to restart the facility of booking group train tickets. Lamenting on the heavy tax burden, Goyal said the India tourism has been out-priced and they hope the tourism sector to be under the five per cent slab in for Goods and Service Tax.

Welcoming delegates to the city of Devi Ahilya – Indore, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, MP highlighted, “The state of MP has grown its tourism sector from strength to strength in the past five years. Tigers have increased from zero to now 32 in Panna Tiger Reserve. We aim to make our state number one in terms of tourism and would look forward to implement the suggestions and feedback received via the IATO convention platform.”

Surendra Patwa, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Government of MP added that Indore is the business capital of MP and under the able leadership of their Chief Minister, they aim to capitalise on the MP Tourism Year.