National Tourism Advisory Council consisting of Experts from culture, art, wild life etc. and representatives of tourism and travel industry has asked the government to prepare sector wise sub plan for upgradation of infrastructure required for tourism promotion. The Committee met under the chairmanship of Smt. Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State for Tourism here today, has suggested upgradation of all airports near to world heritage sites to international status, faster immigration clearance at airports, review of restricted area permit system for North East and rationalization of taxes in tourism sector.
The members stressed the need of creating more budget accommodation to promote domestic tourism. They said in the case of Delhi, matter should be taken up immediately to all concerned in view of forthcoming Commonwealth Games. Streamlining the guide training to improve the quality of guides available at major monuments was also suggested by the Council. It was the unanimous opinion that private sectors’ participation specially travel and tour operators should be ensured in the programmes like ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Private sector should also run human resource development programme to train all the stakeholders to facilitate tourists’ stay in the country, the Council said. The Secretary, Culture, Ms. Neena Ranjan briefed the Members about the efforts for the upkeep of the monuments. She said that Government is open for the private participation in the venture but the response is not very encouraging. She requested the representatives of tour and travel industry to come forward as monuments are great attraction of Indian tourism. Participants also raised the issue of rationalization of various taxes in travel and tour sector including tourism vehicles and other hospitality services.
Chairing the meeting, Smt. Renuka Chowdhury informed the Council that to ensure that more budget accommodation, her Ministry had asked the State Governments to review land use norms. In new master plan of Delhi, the commercial utilization of land for setting up of hotels has been increased to 20%. Ministry of Tourism has issued guidelines for approval of private accommodation as guest houses to arrange more budget accommodation. Regarding other infrastructure an amount of Rs. 359 crores has been earmarked. As far as rationalization of taxes on tourist transport vehicles are concerned, efforts are being made to make it a single point tax collection system. The matter is being pursued with the State Government, she added. Smt. Renuka Chowdhury also informed that her Ministry has also taken up matter of granting hotels as infrastructure status and declaring Aviation Turbine Fuel as ‘Declared Good’ with uniform CST of 4%.
Smt. Renuka Chowdhury said that Tourism Ministry has recommended for setting up of an Immigration Facilitation Group consisting of young and dedicated cadre of officers for improvement in the immigration facilities. Request has also been made to External Affairs Ministry to consider opening of more counselor offices and to consider the system of electronic visa so that tourists from various corners of large countries do not have problems in obtaining visa to visit India.
NCJ/DT
(Release ID :14247)