INDIA’S travel trade is anticipating sops and tourism-related reforms from the new government, formed by the winning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that had identified tourism as one of five engines of growth for the economy in its election manifesto.
“BJP was the only party which had put tourism in their manifesto. The industry is confident that the new government will stop the discrimination against tour operators and exempt them from service tax, just as exporters are exempted based on their foreign exchange earnings,” said Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.
“We expect that the new government will announce a uniform taxation regime that will benefit the entire industry,” added Ranjan Kumar Mishra, managing director of Odisha-based Eastern Voyage.
Rajiv Vij, managing director & CEO, Carzonrent New Delhi, too, hoped there would be favourable announcements for the organised car rental services sector that would “benefit the end consumer and also service providers. ”
Madhavan Menon, managing director, Thomas Cook India, said: “We are expecting prioritisation on key issues like safety and infrastructure. Political stability and a focus on economic growth and social development will be vital for the travel and tourism industry.”
