TOURISM BOOM - ARE WE READY TO REAP IT
Keeping in view the diverse emerging trends evident in the Global Tourism Boom which regretably remains elusive for our country despite its high quality product, the XII Annual Convention of IATO held in Lucknow, 8-11 August 96 urges the Government, the Trade, the Suppliers of Services and everyone else converned to join in an urgnt and immediate effort to evolve a timebound Action programme within the frame work of a national tourism policy.
Towards this objective the convention resolves: |
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That short term and long term measures should be initiated under the Aegis of a National Tourism Board which will address the immediate infrastructure constraints. |
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That the constraints in land availability and land use laws should be removed through a centrally co-ordinated plan.
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That tour operators who are primarily concerned with the problems of FIT's and Groups should be offered facilities to augment the accommodation sector. |
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That all domestic carriers should strictly ensure smooth group movements and avoid cancellation of flights. That the convention demands that tour operators be consulted before drawing up changes in routes and frequencies. |
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That recognising, accessibility is key to tourism growth, the convention welcomes the decision of State Government like Himachal, U.P., Orissa, Kerala and other states to develop new destinations. This convention urges authorities that IATO be involved to enable them to package, sell and market the product effectively. |
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That the tendency of more and more State Government to enforce prohibition, the convention reminds the State Governments that any measures in this regard should not embarrass or harass the foreign visitors and that the convention requests the Tourism Ministery to take the initiative in calling a conference of State Ministers to draw up a uniform policy on enforcement of prohibition vis-a-vis foreign tourists. |
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That the convention welcomes Director General Tourism's twenty five point programme in improving the quality of tourist services within the next six months until major initiatives are planned for strengthening infrastructure and offers its whole-hearted support and co-operation in this effort. |
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That the convention acknowledges that there are other overriding national priorities but at the same time, the tourism sector should receive greater attention in the context of serving those very national priorities through generation of employment, raising resources and improving quality of life. For this reason, IATO considers as measly the budget for overseas promotion. It is time that the Ministry of Tourism, tour operators and other segments take concerted action in launching and sustaining an effective compaign overseas to attract quality tourists. |
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That IATO fully agrees with the need for an equal thrust on domestic tourism which must emerge as the base for international tourism and offers its services for its development and growth. |
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That not withstanding all the commitments made by Central and State governments, little has been done to ensure smooth movement of tourist cars/coaches across State Borders both in terms of facilitation and taxes. |
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The policy of liberlisation in civic aviation should be strengtherned to facilitate more frequent and new services from existing and the emerging market. |
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That the convention holds IATO Members of the highest concern for the environmental protection but would urge the enforcement agencies should not go overboard in implementing those policies and IATO would be happy to participate in this continuous consultative process. |
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That the convention considers Human Resource Development is equally central to the Healthy and Balanced growth of tourism. IATO is ready and keen to assist in standardisation and upgradation of training institutes offering tourism courses. |
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