Pre-Budget quote- TripAdvisor India

Hi,

 

Please find enclosed the pre-budget quote from Mr. Sharat Dhall, MD, TripAdvisor India.

 

Also attached is his profile, photograph and TripAdvisor’s profile for your reference.

 

 

“The travel and tourism industry is hoping for significant sops in the forthcoming budget that will give it an opportunity to kick-start business after the triple whammy of a global economic crunch, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and now swine flu fears.

 

The travel and tourism industry has the potential to be a great job creator in the country as well as contribute significantly to its GDP. However, in order for this to fructify, there is an urgent need to address certain issues that are acting as a drag on the growth of the industry. The Government needs to slash luxury tax on hotels across the country to a standard and reasonable 5%. The luxury tax currently ranges from 5% to an alarming 25% in some states, which directly inflates hotel tariffs in comparison to competing destinations and results in the loss of business to the industry and the country.

 

Similarly, the Government needs to take travel agents and tour operators out of the service tax net for the next 5 years, so as to provide impetus to the sector by making traveling to and within India more affordable. In addition, there have been instances of double taxation in cases where services are obtained by agents, from their associates in other states. Each state has its own criteria and consequently the tourism industry suffers on account of this lack of standardization of levies across the country.

 

A reduction in the rate of interest for loans to build hotels and the granting of infrastructure status to the hotel segment will help secure easy funding and rev up the creation of much needed additional hotel rooms, thus rationalizing room tariffs and making travel to and within India more attractive.

 

Lastly, infrastructure improvements (better & more roads/highways, more airports, etc.) that enable easier access to tourist destinations would be a great help in not only increasing the flow of tourists to popular destinations, but also opening up hitherto undiscovered ‘hidden gems’ across the country.

  

Clearly, the Budget of 2008 did not have anything material for the tourism industry and hence the expectations and aspirations from Budget 2009 are relatively high. We’re hoping for some long term policy initiatives that helps revive the travel industry and ensure its sustained growth.”

 

 

 

Warm Regards,

Lakshita Sogani

 

 

Lakshita Sogani | Account Executive | 20:20 MEDIA

+91 9899200649 | 91-120-4642042

B-23,1st floor, Sector -2, Noida -201301, Delhi N.C.R

Email: lakshita@2020india.com

 

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