As someone who has been actively involved in the travel trade Industry for last few decades, I have often voiced my concerns on one issue, which is a major deterrent to our success – our lack of coordination with other important stakeholders of tourism.
Jyoti Mayal
The global travel industry today has reached unprecedented size and momentum, as disposable incomes grow larger across the world. Although there are factors that make the industry vulnerable, the travel space continues to thrive. With the honourable PM’s vision to improve both Inbound as well as Domestic Tourism in India, the importance being given to the tourism industry today is one like never before. However, to stay relevant in this tough economic climate and changing lifestyles scenario, what is indispensable for our growth is proper co-ordination between the stakeholders of the tourism industry.
For years there have been conflict amidst the travel trade associations – over issues of relevance and concerns for survival – as a result of which, we have often digressed from the common goal – making India a tourism friendly country. Today, there are a lot of travel trade associations, each with its own agenda, but we would closely inspect, the common purpose of each of us is to strengthen the Tourism Industry in India and stay relevant in the current era of OTAs.
Tourism is a people’s industry that involves the intervention of other stakeholders to a large extent. Home Ministry (Police) is vital for the growth of Tourism as only when a tourist will feel safe would he want to visit a country. Ministry of Culture and Art (MoCA) to showcase India’s strength – its art and culture to the tourists; Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Finance to not levy undue tax on the tourism industry; Niti Ayog to help in framing and processing better policies and guidelines for the smooth functioning of our industry and lastly Transport and Shipping Industry for promoting cruises in our country and also safe commuting.
We all need to have a Bi-monthly or quarterly meeting to not just match our progress but also ensure that we are moving together in the right direction. As industry stakeholders, we all should be on the same page and war footing. Staying focussed, meeting regularly and keeping all channels of communication open with each other is the only way we can achieve the set target of 20 million by 2020.
