CHATT lauded the Union Budget announcements for the tourism sector

Travel and tourism is the backbone of the Indian economy. We appreciate the vision and leadership of the Union Government of India in recognizing the importance of our industry, Confederation of Hospitality, Technology and Tourism Industry (CHATT) said today while lauding the Union Budget announcements for the sector.

“The Union Budget announcements demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to the businesses, workers & communities that are dependent on tourism in India. Tourism promotion in mission mode with states’ active participation in PPP mode will have an outstanding impact on the industry and spur the creation of new jobs,” said Anwar Shirpurwala, secretary General, CHATT.

“It will also encourage more visitors from within India & around the globe to travel to thousands of destinations nationwide,” he added.

Anwar further said, “We warmly welcome the proposal to launch an app covering all key aspects of tourist destinations including physical & virtual connectivity, tourist guides, high standards for food streets as well as security of tourists to help enhance visitors’ experience. Besides, the proposal to select and develop a minimum of 50 destinations as a complete tourism package through challenge mode using an integrated and innovative approach is most definitely a positive step.”

The CHATT secretary general also said that the proposal to connect sector-specific skilling and entrepreneurship development with the objectives of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative will help turbocharge growth in domestic tourism and harness the potential inherent in it.

“Be it the proposal to encourage tourism in the border villages by perking up infrastructure and amenities under the Vibrant Villages Programme or setting up of Unity Mall in states, all of these measures are very reassuring and will boost the confidence of businesses of all sizes from MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) to the big players thereby leading to increased investment, economic growth, and job creation in tourism,” said Anwar.

The only concern from travel agents’ and tour operators’ perspective is the increase in tax collection at source for overseas tour packages from 5 per cent to 20 percent. “We urge the government to relook at it considering that our sector is still in the recovery phase after Covid-19 disruptions.”