Tourism is totally ignored by the Government; No benefits at all to the approved tour operators: K. Ranga Reddy

With a special emphasis of Budget 2024 in developing regions like Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and more, these areas are expected to witness new initiatives in near future, paving way for tourism development. However, the central government’s plans and strategies for actual implementation remain somewhat unclear, leaving a foggy picture of how these efforts will bear fruit and uplift the domestic market. Despite this uncertainty, it is evident that the focus is levied on boosting domestic tourism flow in these regions.

Sharing from an umbrella perspective, K. Ranga Reddy, Chairman – IATO Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chapter expressed to T3 that due to local and national elections in states, there were lots of changes in tourism ministry. Indicating towards to the steep curtailment in the tourism promotion budget, Reddy expressed, “Earlier governments never did any promotional programs or has taken up any policies to attract tourists. Now, the Government have to start from the scratch level planning. There is not even a thinking of tourism products till now.”

Moreover, the absence of sector-specific incentives or rebates, ease in GST, TCS, or substantial measures to promote and recognize the tourism industry has further exacerbated the frustration among stakeholders and industry associations. When asked more on the challenges and the roadmap ahead, Reddy said that “Tourism is totally ignored by the Government. Needs to coordinate with our IATO leadership and reallocate the funds in much higher levels on par with international standards”

Notably, there have been no policy announcements supporting hotel development or acknowledging the recommendations from the travel trade, which has left the industry deeply disappointed. Reddy further shared his disappointment adding, “Simply, both local and central government are wasting time in the name of Tourism Policy. Policy in cupboards won’t boost inbound tourism”.

According to him, the recognition of tour operators by the Ministry of Tourism is a big mimicry. “No benefits at all to the approved tour operators. Post COVID, the skills are required for tour operations, drivers, guides, hotel staff is the need of the hour”, expressed Reddy.