A fundamental approach I have been taking for the last five years is that all the sessions need to be directly relevant to the business operations of our members. So if you have noticed, we have been avoiding generic session on the large macro picture, but focusing on how our members can improve their businesses, get new system and ideas, says Rajeev Kohli, Sr Vice President, Indian Association of Tour Operators while talking exclusively to Whereabouts.
Q. The previous convention of IATO has been one of the most successful industry events – let’s revisit the convention; how would you describe it? What were the major takeaways/achievements for the industry stakeholders?
A. I think every IATO convention has been a great success over the last three years. We have moved a long distance from the old boring social event conventions to more business like events where we discuss the relevant subjects and try to impart the knowledge to our members that they can take away and use in their respective businesses. The Bhubaneswar Convention will follow the same concept. I am proud of the works which have been done by this EC for the few years.
Q. You have introduced Interactive Sessions during previous convention; how has been the response? Is there anything new this time?
A. Every year I have been trying to tweak the content format a little bit. A fundamental approach I have been taking for the five years is that all the sessions need to be directly relevant to the business operations of our members. So if you have noticed, we have been avoiding generic session on the large macro picture but focusing on how people can improve their businesses, how can get new ideas and new systems.
This year we have amended the format a little bit more. We want to make the convention more interactive so every session is divided into two parts a panel or discussion time, and a part for audience interaction. I am expecting the panel to set up the discussion to talk a little bit and then the audience needs to come and debate, through questions, challenge the panels on what has been said, what ideas.
And I hope we will leave the room with some new ideas, some new brain storming thoughts on how to revive the industry. I think the biggest differentiate we have from any other association is bringing the audience into the forefront, the audience will control, the audience will play a big part in deliberation of the Convention.
Q. After 2008, Odisha hosting the Annual Convention of IATO once again; what could be the biggest advantage for the state this time?
A. Odisha has been very supportive in bringing IATO back to the town and I think it’s a very good strategy. It has been almost nine years our member visited the destination and during these years the destination, hotels and so many things have changed. And any destination that thinks we have got the IATO Convention once we do not need again, is the destination that will lose.
We have been to Rajasthan and Kerala at many occasions and as a result the destinations have registered an impressive growth. And it’s good to go in eastern India and exploring new destinations. This convention is an opportunity for those who missed the last one. There are a lot of the people who want to refresh their product knowledge as well.
Q. Year 2017 – including the previous inbound season has been an eventful year, be it Demonetization, amendment in E-Tourist Visa or recently introduced GST – all have their own impact on tourism and hospitality business. Since you represent the apex body of inbound tour operators, what is your reaction?
A. I think no doubt the Indian tourism industry – across the segments has been under enormous stress and pain over this last one year. We as the industry support the initiative of the GST (Goods and Service Tax) but we have been very disappointed on what we have perceived to be incorrect application of the GST on our industry. And normally in the law the double taxation still exists. We are hoping that gets a mandate because it is hurting us gravely. Also the GST rate on hotels is absurdly high and does not make us competitive as compare to our neighboring countries.
I think the e-visa system has been definitely a boon; however we can see the backlog of clearance of e-visa passengers at the airport that needs to be solved. But the e-visa definitely has been a wonderful move for the country in general.
As far as the growth of tourism is concerned; I believe unless we get the support of the Government in various sectors including formation and implementation of new tourism policy, we are going to see some challenges and pain in future as well.
Q. How would you rate the government policies in terms of supporting the growth of tourism and hospitality business? Is there any major challenge in front of industry stakeholders?
A. I want to make a distinction in between the people who works in ministry of tourism and the policies of the government at the different level. I think support by the Indian government to tourism is negligible, does not exist. The policies are old and irrelevant. Strategies adopted by the government no longer works. And unfortunately for any one sitting in the government outside of tourism ministry they consider tourism to be a luxury and therefore should not be focused on this we should use this. The Prime Minister say the right thing but the implementation down the line is completely non existence.
Q. How would you describe association’s functioning today?
A. I think the association is functioning well. We definitely want to improve and that always an ongoing process. I thing we need to bring in a little bit more professionalism by increasing the quality and strength of our secretariat. We have some great people working for us and we need to strengthen their hands. And I think we are functioning well, unfortunately last one year all our energy has gone in to fire fighting, to battling issue like ASI rules, GTS, E-visa, so when you are fire fighting you cannot focus on growth.
Q. The Sr. Vice President of IATO is also the Global President of SITE – one of the most elite associations of the world; how India and IATO can leverage this golden opportunity?
A. I am privilege and proud to be the global president of SITE. And I tried to bring those experiences into my work for IATO. And I think look I cannot tell people that I am Global President of SITE and therefore I am smarter than you are because that is not true.But I think I do have something to contribute I do have value from sitting on a global board from learning from other associations across the world and I like to have the opportunity to use that.
