Indian tourist policy needs makeover suggests FICCI

New Delhi: To boost tourism in Indian, A FICCI-EY paper on ‘Tourism Infrastructure: The Role States Play’ recommended a six-point agenda to enable the states to achieve their potential in attaining the desired growth in tourist arrivals.

The paper calls for introduction of a robust and inclusive tourism policy as the first step towards introducing the right set of initiatives and achieving the desired tourist inflow.

The policy should focus on specific interventions, incentives offered to developers/private players and vision for development of tourism in the state, among others.

 

Inter and Intra State Connectivity

The paper emphasizes the importance of improvement in inter and intra-state connectivity through creation of rural roads, high speed passenger trains, identifying and equipping air strips, converting domestic airports into international, introducing inland waterway connectivity. These areas need to be explored for improving the connectivity between cities and states.

 

Tourist Facilities

In terms of tourist facilities, the paper calls for easy availability of the visa offices/centres at all the key destinations experiencing high foreign tourist turnout. Provision of other facilities such as adequate parking and way side facilities is the need of the hour.

 

Ideate, Innovate

It suggests exploration of new concepts such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) to attract tourists. There is an increased focus in many states on the MICE sector as an engine of growth for the business tourism sector.

To build upon this opportunity, connectivity and availability of world-class infrastructure should be ensured. Incentives and subsidies to attract investors may be proposed as part of the MICE strategy.

For setting up accommodation facilities in select unexplored destinations, upgrading the service levels of hotels, introducing theme based resorts, are some options that need to be explored. Some popular themes could be golf resorts, wildlife resort, green/ clean technology resorts, etc.

 

Join hands with the govt

Above all, the FICCI-EY paper stresses on collaboration with other governments. It is critical for a holistic growth of tourism, the paper notes, that the states combine and synergise their efforts and offer comprehensive services and solutions.

To create an enabling environment, the states need to explore possibilities by initiating dialogue with key states/countries and creating roadmaps for implementation.

(With inputs from ANI)