30/08/2002
While the baseline forecasts for India's tourism are generally bullish, there are a number of weaknesses that need to be addressed if the country is to unlock its full Travel & Tourism potential - whether in terms of wealth generation or job creation.
This was one of the main conclusions of the two-day 'Retreat' organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) India Initiative in Agra from August 23-25. The retreat - which brought together senior Members of India's Parliament and Government, leaders from the local tourism industry, international experts on crisis management and key media from the region - was the first ever public-private sector event involving all the major stakeholders in the country's Travel & Tourism industry.
"There is no doubt that India has enormous Travel & Tourism potential," said Yogesh Chandra, Secretary General of the WTTC India Initiative, in his summation of the two days of discussions and debate. "But, if the country is to achieve or - even better - surpass the baseline forecasts, certain key factors need to be assured."
"These include a favourable fiscal policy, continuing incentives for investment, new infrastructure development, sustained and effective marketing and promotions, improved education and training, and product diversification," added Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC President.
Among the major impediments to India's Travel & Tourism growth, the participants particularly highlighted the constraints of air access and visa problems. There was strong consensus, for example, as to the need to open up India's skies - in order to respond to existing demand for air travel and stimulate new demand.
"It is not always easy for governments to swallow their pride and take this kind of step," said Baumgarten, "regardless of whether reciprocal bilateral traffic rights can be obtained at the same time by the national carrier."
On the subject of visas, participants argued strongly in favour of new measures allowing tourists from major source markets, such as Europe, the USA and Japan, to obtain visas on arrival.
"This would go a long way to easing some of the bureaucratic hurdles that can collectively discourage people from travelling to a country," Baumgarten added.
Not surprisingly, the Agra retreat also addressed the current tensions between India and Pakistan, and the possible implications of an escalation of these tensions on Travel & Tourism. A number of high-level international speakers from countries such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Jordan recounted their experiences in dealing with similar crises.
The two days of discussions culminated in the drafting of a Retreat Declaration containing recommendations for India's Prime Minister and Cabinet on clearly defined strategies to address the risk of such crises, as well as to develop positive measures to help unlock the country's Travel & Tourism potential. Most importantly, the Retreat participants unanimously agreed on the need to create a public-private sector Advisory Board to the PM's Cabinet.
The next meeting of the WTTC India Initiative will be held in Cochin, Kerala, on January 10, 2002.
For more information, or for a list of the participants at the WTTC India Retreat, please contact:
Feolla Chastanet
Director, Communications
World Travel & Tourism Council
Tel: 44 (0) 870 727 9882
Fax: 44 (0) 870 728 988
