The draft National Tourism Policy 2020 (NTP) has been released. Whereabouts is reaching out to the industry stakeholders to gather their feedback and suggestions that they think needs to be considered before the final policy is released.
As mentioned in the ‘Draft’, to accelerate the growth of Inbound tourism in a sustainable manner the Ministry of Tourism is focusing on an ambitious target of increasing India’s share of International Tourist Arrivals to 33 million in next five years. However, reviving the tourism sector in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and further accelerating the growth of Inbound tourism would be the first and foremost difficult task to deal with.
While sharing his views on the draft NTP 2020, Bharat Bhushan Atree, Managing Director, Caper Travel Company says that as per the new National Tourism Policy for 2020, a target of 33 million tourists in the next five years seems to be a mammoth task. With the current pandemic crisis, India has received tourists only in first quarter of the year which was followed by border closure causing a complete halt in all tourist activities.
Top Recommendations
a. Healthy, hygienic, safe and tourist friendly destinations.
b. Digital and online strategies in marketing policy.
c. Time ticket for crowd management.
d. Tax free holidays at least for two years.
e. Zero or nominal visa fee.
f. Covering medical costs if a tourist is infected while on holiday in India.
He feels that tourism will begin gradually and it will not bounce back as there is no certainty for a vaccine, and even if the vaccine is available by first quarter of 2021, it will take 2-3 year for whole world to get vaccinated.
With the current COVID – 19 pandemic it is essential the policy sets protocols on quality assurance and standardisation of tourism services in the country. A national database accrediting tourism service providers will help ensure competence in services and promotion of enterprise.
Atree feels that this ambitious target of 33 million tourists will increase India’s Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) tremendously. However, to achieve this goal the country needs an aggressive marketing policy which should include digital and online strategies. “The Ministry of Tourism can conduct guided tours live on Facebook and other social media platforms to reveal India’s hidden beauty and charm to the world,” he suggested.
In view of current circumstances created by COVID-19 which may have its impact on touristic activities for next couple of years, Bharat says that the new policy can consider covering trip expenses or medical costs if a tourist is infected while on holiday in India, until a vaccine is available. This will boost the confidence of an international traveller by sending a strong message about the destinations hygiene.
The Government must figure out ways to manage crowds better so all can have their personal space. Time tickets can be the answer and should be the new normal. Here in, tourist can choose a date and time for advance reservations of excursions, attractions, events etc, so as to avoid large crowds.
Another recommendation is that holidays could be made tax free at least for two years, as in following the norms of social distancing, keeping hotel, restaurants and transport at 50% capacity will lead to an increase in cost, this step will help reduce the burden of expenses on all involved.
“For a boost in tourism there can be zero or a very nominal visa fee and entrance to monuments & attractions can follow suit to attract more tourist for a minimum of one to two years. Incentives can be worked out for all foreign tour operators worldwide like what other countries do for e.g. Turkey and Greece,” concludes Atree.
