LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN

In a pre-budget article in the Economic Times, I made some open-book suggestions to our policy makers in the government. And my suggestions or recommendations as you may call them came from the standpoint of the All India Resort Development Association – AIRDA.

AIRDA, as many of you know, is an independent, non-profit advisory dedicated to the timeshare and vacation ownership industry. Our primary members are resort owners, who benefit from AIRDA’s constructive sharing of ideas and strategies on the running and promotion of timeshare. We work closely with our members to cut a clean image in the industry and offer fair value to customers.

Here are some excerpts from my article, edited for this message . . .

• It’s time Tourism got the recognition it deserves as a revenue spinner for the country and a visible foreign exchange earner. In this connection, policy framework should be unambiguous and clearly stated, with nodal agencies for implementation.
  
  
• Time and again, we have heard assurances about speedy clearances on tourism projects – however, the Single Window mechanism largely remains on paper. This is one catalyst measure that will enable the growth of Tourism.
  
  
• The Domestic Tourism market in India is estimated at over 500 million and growing – largely driven by higher disposable incomes, lifestyle changes and a fast growing culture of holidaying. While this is encouraging, more needs to be done to tap the enormous potential growth markets.
  
  
• A far-reaching measure would be to incentivize the development of domestic tourist destinations in the far flung parts of the country. This will put them on the tourist map, enable economic growth and create local jobs.
  
  
• It is important to recognize that “Travel & Tourism” is not just confined to Star Hotels - it covers wide geographies, tourist locations, products and services. The policy framework should ensure that all recognized/classified segments of the tourism umbrella are eligible for the incentives that may be granted by the government from time to time.
  
  
• The need of the hour is a rationalization of the tax structure to provide a level playing field to all participants. Measures such as this widen the horizon - not just for players in the industry, but tourists the world over who can discover India from a whole new perspective.

B. S. Rathor
Chairman, AIRDA