Representatives from the tourism and hospitality sector met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Thursday in a pre-Budget meeting. They advocated for the establishment of a National Tourism Board to foster long-term sector growth.
The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance MP Pankaj Chaudhary, Secretaries of Department of Economic Affairs, Finance Ministry and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; and Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
The industry also requested formal ‘industry’ status, which they believe will facilitate access to affordable financing.
Further demands included the implementation of a single-window clearance system for licensing. They also called for a reduction in the number of licenses, approvals, and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required for hotels.
The meeting saw participation from various industry bodies. These included the Hotel Association of India, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, Indian Association of Tour Operators, India Food Tourism Organisation, Tourist Guide Federation of India, and Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.
Industry representatives highlighted that the absence of formal recognition and fragmented regulations hinder the sector’s access to affordable finance and incentives.
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