IATO has written to the Prime Minister of India that as per trends observed FTA in India has not still not touched the 2019 level
Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has urged the Indian government for immediate budgetary allocation of INR 10 billion under Incredible India campaign and formation of “India Tourism Board” under the leadership of the Prime Minister with the specific objective of increasing foreign tourist arrivals.
In a press statement, IATO says that it has written to the Prime Minister of India that as per trends observed by it and discussion with every other FTA (Foreign Tourist Arrival) stakeholder, it is assessed by the body that FTA in India has not still not touched the 2019 level in the last financial year.
Ravi Gosain
“When global trade is facing unprecedented disruptions due to tariff wars and geopolitical shifts, tourism exports remain unaffected by such constraints. Unlike goods, India’s tourism export or foreign tourists spending in India, which is non-tariff based, brings direct foreign exchange earnings into the country. This positions inbound tourism as a stable, sustainable, and immediate contributor to India’s current account with valuable foreign exchange, employment generation and balances forex trade deficit. Yet, regretfully the country is lagging in its effort to attract foreign tourists,” says Ravi Gosain, President, IATO.
The statement adds Indian inbound tourism sector has the potential to contribute 1-2 pc to the GDP and therefore this engine needs to fire.
“To enhance FTA numbers, besides the steps suggested above, we need simplified visa facilitation, expanding the scope of e-visas, fast-tracking group tourist visas and exploring visa fees waivers for select countries. Further we need to incentivise international airlines and air charters to improve air connectivity to key tourism circuits, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III destination,” adds Gosain.