The Union Minister for Tourism, Kumari Selja, speaks to Savio Rodrigues on safety, cruise tourism, eco tourism and destination development.
TGI: What initiatives has the Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) taken in recent months?
There are numerous initiatives. Our efforts for the introduction of ‘Visa-on-arrival’ scheme for tourists have borne fruit.
The government of India has, on a pilot basis, introduced the scheme for one year commencing from January 1, 2010. The scheme is currently applicable to tourists coming from Singapore, Finland, New Zealand, Luxembourg and Japan. We expect this move to give tremendous boost to inbound tourism, giving positive signals to the source markets.
The true potential of tourism lies in responsible practices on both the demand and supply sides of the tourism chain. We aim to develop a ‘Sustainable & Responsible Tourism’ model aimed at bringing a visible change in the livelihood of the local communities and elevate their economic status.
The sustainable tourism route adopted by us in the Rural Tourism Project seeks to strengthen skilled rural artisans in association with the United Nations Development Programme. We have already identified 158 rural sites, of which 21 are in this region.
TGI: MoT is also actively advocating eco-tourism. Are there any initiatives on the cards?
Eco-tourism is a niche product with a major revenue and employment generating capabilities. However, better management of our forests and environment is important too.
Realising its significance for socio-economic benefits, we need to take more aggressive steps for afforestation in areas prone to ecological damage. The finance minister, in his budget speech, has proposed a sum of Rs200 crore as a special golden jubilee package for Goa.
The state needs to preserve its natural resources by restoring its beaches that are prone to erosion and to increase its green cover through sustainable forestry.
TGI: What about the MoT’s focus on cruise tourism?
Cruise shipping is a dynamically fast growing component of the leisure industry worldwide. It is emerging as a new niche product with a global annual rate of 12%. The Cruise Shipping Policy was approved on June 26, 2008.
It aims to sustainably develop India both as a source and destination market and to increase the number of cruise ship calls and passenger arrivals. This product is still in its infancy in India.
TGI: While much has been spoken about the importance of tourism as an engine of economic growth, isn’t the industry often forgotten during the Union budgets?
Tourism is indeed an important engine for economic growth. We want synchronised and integrated development of the tourism sector. There are several measures to achieve that.
Tax incentives for new hotels coming up around World Heritage sites have been announced. The External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) entitlement to fund import of equipment and fund the rupee requirements has been allowed.
RBI has delinked hotel projects from Commercial Real Estate Classification for credit purposes. This will enable hotels to obtain credit at liberal conditions and low interest rates.
To boost investment in the tourism sector, the Budget 2010-11 has proposed to extend the benefit of investment-linked-deduction under the Income Tax Act to new hotels of two-star category and above, in India.
We have also recently launched a liberalised Incredible India Bed & Breakfast/Home Stay Schemes. The states and union territories have also been advised to formulate their own scheme to develop Bed & Breakfast Schemes and Home Stay units.
TGI: What about the trained manpower to cater to the growing demand of domestic and international tourists?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved broad-basing hospitality education. Vocational schools, polytechnics, universities and colleges would be involved to meet the growing demand of trained manpower in the hospitality sector.
Revised guidelines for the scheme of assistance to Institutes of Hotel Management (IHM) and Food Craft Institutes (FCI) have also been issued. We intend to set up 19 IHM and 25 State FCIs in the Eleventh Plan period.
We have also launched the ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ (Employment on Skill) programme. The programme envisages creation of employable skills in the hospitality sector under the Capacity Building Scheme. It targets the youth of weaker sections of society who are interested in joining the hospitality industry.
The programme is being operated simultaneously in the IMH and FCIs across the country. Linkages forged with the industry have ensured that successful candidates are now finding appropriate placements in the hotels and restaurants.
TGI: What is the biggest challenge faced in tourism destination development?
Solid Waste Management is one of the major challenges faced in destination development. A destination’s development should not end just with the handing over of completed projects. Mechanisms should be in place to foster sustainable and environment-friendly growth.
The ban on plastics, though much talked about, is implemented rather poorly. We will be looking at this component of Solid Waste Management while approving project proposals from the state governments. It also enhances the quality of life of inhabitants in terms of sanitation and public health.
TGI: Safety and security of tourists has been a concern for some time now. Has the central government taken any measures towards this?
In this modern era of communication, news of any untoward incident travels quickly endangering the reputation of the country as a safe destination. The domestic and foreign tourist inflow domestic and foreign tourist could be ensured only in a safe and secure environment.
We have decided to constitute a Tourist Police Organisation in states and union territories and guidelines have been formulated. We have proposed to rope in ex-servicemen. Several states have deployed tourist police at important destinations. We feel that a specialised agency to handle tourist safety should be in place. We are also working at establishing a National Tourist Helpline.
