Strict visa regimes deterrent to tourism
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Foreign tourist arrivals up by 8.7 pc in a year Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India have increased by 8.7% to 4.01 lakh during the month of September, 2011 as compared to 3.69 lakh in the same month last year, government data said. FTAs during the month of September, 2009 were at 3.31 lakh, it said. There has been a growth of 8.7% in September, 2011 over September, 2010 as compared to a growth of 11.6% registered in September, 2010 over September, 2009. The growth of 8.7% in September, 2011 is higher than 5.3% in August, 2011. FTAs during August, 2011 were to the tune of 4.02 lakh. FTAs during the period January-September, 2011 were 42.20 lakh with a growth of 10.0%, as compared to the FTAs of 38.35 lakh with a growth of 8.0% during January-September, 2010 over the corresponding period of 2009. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) during the month of September, 2011 has increased by 22.9% to Rs 5,748 crore as compared to Rs 4,678 crore in September, 2010 and Rs 3,798 crore in September, 2009. The growth rate in FEE in Rupee term in September, 2011 was 22.9% as compared to 23.2% in September, 2010 over September, 2009. FEE from tourism in rupee term during January-September, 2011 were Rs 53,761 crore with a growth of 16.6%, as compared to the FEE of Rs 46,115 crore with a growth of 22.7% during January-September, 2010 over the corresponding period of 2009. |
Calling for adoption of "barrier free" or "least barrier" travel norms to sustain and promote global tourism, India has asserted that travel advisories and strict VISA regimes enforced by some countries are acting as deterrents to tourism growth.
"Strict VISA regimes enforced by some countries are a major deterrent to the growth of tourism. It is very important that countries along with the stakeholders are sensitised about these issues and we together take concrete steps to work towards barrier free or least barrier travel to promote tourism globally," Indian Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai said at the just-concluded International Tourism Ministers Conference at Paris.
His observation comes close on the heels of five countries - the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand-issuing advisories against travel to India during the festival season. The Indian establishment is quiet surprised and disturbed with the advisories, particularly at a time when 100% bookings have been reported in hotels in Kashmir, which is generally perceived by the international community as strife torn.
Sahai also hoped that the G-20 countries would focus on creation of more employment opportunities through development of sustainable international tourism.
“Creation of employment opportunities is one of the main concerns worldwide, more so in the wake of the economic slow-down. Tourism plays a vital role in creating job opportunities for all strata of society that includes skilled, semi skilled and unskilled,” Sahai said at the annual conference of Tourism Ministers from G-20 countries.
He expressed the hope that the Conference would focus on creation of job opportunities in the tourism sector, thereby expanding the reach of economic benefits to larger segments of the world population.
The Tourism Minister emphasised that tourism in recent years has developed into one of the world's largest industry and a major engine for the economic growth. He said that Ministry of Tourism has set the target to increase India's share in international tourist's arrival from 0.6% to 1% by the year 2016 which in turn will be able to create 25 million additional jobs in India.
Sahai said that Government is formulating national and local developmental strategies in order to ensure that tourism plays a meaningful role in the overall socio-economic development at grass route level. He said “tourism plays a vital role in creating job opportunities, throws open the doors for participation to all sections of the society in the process of development which in turns contributes to the inclusive growth not just in India but across the world.”
The Minister said that Travel & Tourism is increasingly intertwined with environmental sustainability. He said in spite of growing relevance and proving contribution to GDP, tourism still lacks due political and economic recognition.
Sahai said that against this background, Government of India, UNWTO and WTTC have decided to join hands for making tourism as global agenda "Global leaders for Tourism campaign" through which it is hoped to position tourism as a driver for growth.
Stakeholder's participation in development of tourism is of paramount importance, he said adding the stakeholders should guide policy as well as implement methodologies.
The G 20 countries account for half of the international tourist's arrival. The concept of T 20 came up in October 2009 during 18th WTO General Assembly when the member countries met to discuss the available contribution of travel and tourism to the economic stimuli.
AABC T&T Bureau
