Chaired by K. Chiranjeevi, the conference was attended by as many as 23 Tourism Ministers from different states and union territories apart from senior officials from state tourism ministries from across the country and Indian travel trade. The objective of the conference was to devise roadmap for future to give impetus to tourism in the country.
The conference assumed a significant importance as tourism industry has recently been hit by natural calamities and some untoward incidents. “We should all put our heads together and work out the best possible ways and strategies to develop and promote Indian tourism in the most effective manner. This critical sector helps in mainstreaming the remote areas and weaker sections of the society. Having said that, I appeal to all stakeholders to join hands with the Ministry to meet the challenges that Indian Tourism is facing today,” Chiranjeevi said in his opening remarks. The conference provided opportunity to every state to highlight contemporary tourism issues and fine some viable solutions.
It deliberated on wide ranging issues such as safety and security of tourists, Campaign Clean India, rationalisation of taxes to make Indian tourism products competitive, bringing uniformity in the structure of road taxes and promote seamless travel, the timely implementation of tourism infrastructure projects, the time bound issue of licenses and no objection certificates for various tourism related services, the provision of single window clearance for film shootings and MICE among others. “I have opened a dialogue with the Finance Ministry to rationalise the central taxes. I would request you also to take up the issue of rationalisation of state taxes with your counterpart in Finance Department of your state”, he urged.
Chiranjeevi also empahsised on keeping the destinations clean and maintained to offer a good experience to tourists. “The problem is serious and if we fail to tackle it now, it may be too late. I suggest that all states and UT Administrations must declare various tourist destinations as plastic free, ensure regular removal of garbage, build proper toilets to check open defecation and sensitise the community about the need to keep the destinations clean,” he added.
Taking note of the recent tragedy in Uttarakhand, Chiranjeevi said that we must keep in mind the principles of sustainability and carrying capacity while developing tourism destinations. “It is our responsibility that we must immediately assess the carrying capacity of various tourism destinations and address the sustainability issues. In case, some remedial measures are required, they must be taken before any disaster happens. Uttarakhand has been a warning to all of us,” he stated.
The Conference saw most of the state Tourism Minister’ raising the issue of delay in releasing the Central Financial Assistance (CFA). Responding to this, Chiranjeevi said the Ministry could not release CFA to the states and UTs which failed to submit utilization certificates for the advances given to them up to March 31, 2011 or refund such advances. He said the outstanding advance is a matter of concern to the Central Government. “After 1 September, 2013, Ministry will not be able to release any CFA unless the State Governments and UTs submit utilization certificates for the advances given to them up to 31 March, 2012 or refund such advances,” the Minister added.
Chiranjeevi also urged the state governments and UTs to enact the cadre of tourist police in one form or other. This can be done either by borrowing some companies from the Police Department or hiring ex-servicemen or home guards, he said. The Tourist Police can be deployed visibly in places where such incidents can happen. He said that, if in spite of best efforts, such incidents occour, we must take immediate action to bring the culprits to the book and ensure speedy court trials. “While doing so, we must show our sensitivity towards the feelings of the victim and respect their dignity and privacy,” he added.
The Conference launched a new campaign “I Respect Women” with Ministry of Tourism issuing badges in Hindi and ten international languages.
