Pushing tourism up the government agenda
Tourism players have called on Indian policy makers to approach the industry as a primary pillar of economic growth.
In a brain-storming session hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Agra over the weekend, industry stakeholders urged the Government to hail key policy changes.
Stakeholders said there was need for public-private partnerships in the form of a tourism marketing board to promote India, and called on the government to promote India globally in a focussed manner, in sync with its emerging position in the global economy.
They also called for policy changes such as timely clearances or single-window clearances and faster approvals for hotels, reports The Hindu Business Line.
In support of these arguments, which will be submitted in a white paper to the inter-ministerial tourism committee, Nakul Anand, Chairman of the CII tourism committee and executive director of ITC, said; “One of the key ways in which tourism contributes to economic growth is by generating employment. In the next five-eight years, the sector is likely to generate nearly 30-40% of total jobs in the country.”
Arjun Sharma, co-chairman of the committee and Managing Director, Le Passage to India, added; “Effective planning and execution can happen if the Centre and States share a common vision and strategic action plan, for instance, last-mile connectivity, issues around taxation among others.”