This convention of IATO meeting in Hyderabad is happy to place on record its deep appreciation of the thrust to tourism an an instrument of radical change in vision 2020 as envisaged by the Chief Minister, Mr. N Chandra Babu Naidu. the new concepts which the Chief Minister has incorporated for encouragement to the tourism sector both for investment and developmnt commends Andhra Pradesh as a role model for other Indian State. IATO pledges is whole hearted support to the fulfilment of his objectives and at the same time requests him to take note of the action plan accopanying the resolution.

IATO fully endorses the counsel of the senior industry leaders for a collective approach to matters of common interest and reiterates its readiness to join hands with the other segments for setting up an apex body. It fully acknowledges the urgency for a strong, effective and united voice of the industry facing challenges.

This convention of IATO cannot but express its disappointment that the Board of Tourism and Trade appointed by the Government has only an advisory role and little authority to initiate or implement action in the best interests of the tourism sector. The convention feels that in the context of tourism, major contribution to the economy and social progress insists that the sector should receive priority on the national agenda. This can be achieved if only the autorities at the highest level takes an active interest in the progress of the tourism sector. The convention suggests that the Board should reconstituted with te Prime Minister at its head. It should include ministers in charge or related departments, the cabinet secretary and representatives of the trade. Similar boards should be constituted in the states headed by the respective Chief Ministers.

This convention invites other associations in the travel industry to constitute a compact committee that will have an ongoing programe of educating opinion leaders and law makers on the gain from tourism. Infact, it should function as a pressure group or a lobby for tourism with well structure back up designed to secure media involvement.

The convention unanimously resolves that the tour operators should be treated at par with exporters and all the benefits given to the exporters under 80 HHC and similar acts should be extended to tour operators.

The export industry now receives subsidy/benefits to the tune of 20% for earning foreign exchange and generating employment. I all fairness the tourism industry, which likewise generate employment and earn foreign exchange without any outgo should atleast receive exemption from such levies such as luxury tax, expenditure tax and sales tax for hotels and passenger tax, road tax and toll tax on tourist vehicles which may be given separate identity. These vehicles have to be owned and operated by tour operators and tourist transport operators who are duly recognised by the department of tourism.

Equally important is the need for the government to consult the industry before initiating any step that will create any apprehensions in the sector. Any levy should be equitable, neutral and non-discriminatory. IATO cautions the authorities against the tendency to treat the travel industry as a soft target as the result will be counter productive.

IATO also urges both the central and state governments to streamline procedures for private investment in the tourism projects and ensure a single window nd time bound clearance.

The Association considers it right and proper for various official agencies controlling air, road, rail and other tourist related services to consult IATO in formulating policies. This is necessary to ensure co-ordination of various services for the benefit of travellers as well as for stability of the schedule services.

IATO strongly urges all state governments to make land avalaible to all segments of the travel industry including hotels at reasonable rates to increase pace of growth of the accommodation sector.

IATO is as much concerned about protection of environment as any other organisation and strictly enjoins its members to do their best in preserving both the ecosystem and our heritage. At the same time it feels strongly that unreasonable resrtictions sort by some lobbies should not be accepted. In the circumstance every state government could appoint any environment impanct assessment authority including the representatives of IATO.

IATO calls upon its members to keep abreast of the latest developments in communication technologies and use them as an opportunities. It particularly stresses the need for human resource development as the key to the future of tourism growth.

IATO fully endorese the view that overseas promotion should be a joint effort of the government, industry and other agencies represented abroad.

IATO urges its members to join in an active united effort to revive tourism in J & K and promote North East.

ACTION PLAN FOR ANDHRA PRADESH

1. Establishment of the state tourism board headed by the Chief Minister and including ministers in-charge of related department and representatives of the trade.
2. Creation of a tourism development fund through CESS on the tourism sector. The fund should be used for tourism promotion.
3. Leading travel agencies and tour operators should be provided with promotional kits like audio visual and CD.
4. IATO in turn is asking its members to project as a complete destination as part of their marketing compaign.
5. The government should license a fleet of tourist cars and coaches exclusively for tourists. Airports and Railway stations should have pre-paid and metered taxis.
6. State government should persuade the civil aviation ministry to open two more gateway international airports in Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam.
7. For proper projection of Hyderabad and other developing destinations, IATO should be included in consultative bodies.
8. The state may consider easing of the tax burden that impinges on the tourism sector.
9. Hyderabad should have a mega convention complex of international standard.
10. Creation of an environment impact assessment authority including representatives of the trade.
11. The Chief Minister may persuade the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to issue zonal permits for coaches in Andhra Pradesh to facilitate free interstate movement of tourist in the Southern Zone.

ACTION POINTS TO PROMOTE ANDHRA PRADESH

1. IATO will take up the matter with Civil Aviation Ministry, to permit at least one flight to international airlines to land in Hyderabad every week. This will automatically increase foreign tourists to Hyderabad, and the State of Andhra Pradesh.
2. The Members of IATO will endeavour to market Hyderabad as a convention centre.
3. IATO would like to get associated with the proposal of JOINT TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD (consisting of private and public sector). This Joint Advisory Board will evolve strategies for marketing Andhra Pradesh as a destination and implement the marketing/publicity plans.
4. IATO will take up on its own a study to promote and develop th following circuits:
- City sightseeing of Hyderabad and surrounding areas.
· -Nagar Junagarh, Amravati and other places of Buddhist importance.
· Vishakhapatnam-Arakur rail cum road packages
· -Religious tours -promoting Tirupati, Nanded Sahib, Mecca Masjid, and Kulparkji Tirath.
·- Horely hills as a hill resort.
· -To popularise Southern Golden Triangle , Hyderabad-Bangalore-Madras among tour operators in Northern States/Foreign countries.
· -Popularise Hyderabad as a Shopping Destination for pearls, silk, jewellery and handicrafts.
- · IATO will write to WTO and UNESCO to declare the Golconda Fort as world Heritage monument.

A permanent local IATO implementation committee to meet on the first Saturday of every month to review the implementation programe

-Indian Association of Tour Operators, proposed by Mr. Subhash Goyal , President seconded and endorsed by Major Murli Dhar, Hony. Secretary

- Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India, endorsed by Mr. Sushil Gupta, President

-Travel Agents Association of India, endorsed by Mr. Kanti Poddar, Vice President

-Indian Tourists Transporters Association, endorsed by Mr. Sarabjit Singh, President

-Federation of Tourists Guide Association endorsed by Mr. Ashok Sharda, Gen. Secretary

-Hotel Association of India has also given their consent for the unity move in the industry.

For many years, attempts were being made to unite the industry but for some reason or the other, they were not successful. It is heartening that after 50 years of India's Independence, all segments of the Industry have finally joined hands to work together in the larger national interest to accelerate the activities of united efforts and to implement Delhi Declaration a permanent organization which will be formed shortly. A joint sitting of all the organizations will be held atleast once a month. Delhi Declaration also stands to joint promotion of India at the ITB in Berlin, at World Travel Mart at London and SATTE in New Delhi.

The Declaration includes preparation and submission of a joint memorandum to the Government of India for safeguarding the interest of the tourism industry in the next year i.e. 1998-99 Union Budget.

The Delhi Declaration also includes the abolition of multiplicity of taxes or taxation on taxation and stands for one point taxation in order to promote the smooth operation of tourist coaches, confidence in the hotel tariffs of overseas tour operators thereby generating more tourism and ultimately resulting in more employment for the unemployed youths, ex-servicemen and others all over the country. Then only the projects framed by the Tourism Ministry and State Governments can be successful in their respective areas. This need zero taxation on the tourism industry to help its growth and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country.

IATO stands for setting up of an Export Promotion Council with the inclusion of IATO and other connected trade organisations.

IATO pledges itself to mobilize the public and official to seek exporter status for tour operators before the end of the year in order to give the country the much needed foreign exchange.

IATO also pledges itself to mobilize the world opinion by encouraging Inbound Tourists to India so that atleast before the millennium, we achieve our target of 5 million tourists.

IATO stands for adoption of village in every state by the tourism industry and the State Tourism Department to encourage Rural and Village tourism. This will not only result in spreading of prosperity in every nook & corner of the country but also stop the migration of workers from the rural to urban areas where this excessive flow of population is causing heavy strain on the civic amenities like water, power, sanitation, pollution, housing resulting in our cities slowly becoming large slums.

The Delhi Declaration also stands the promotion of permanent Statuary Body with the functional autonomy with representatives of IATO and other trade organizations to co-ordinate with the inter-ministerial group and other governments departments. IATO shall put all efforts and endive to strengthen the working and co-ordination among domestic airlines, railways, surface transports and other agencies to facilitate the movement of tourists in India. IATO stands for the un-interrupted, hassle free inter-state movement and single point for collection of taxes

IATO stands to scientific legislation to provide comprehensive insurance cover to all segments of the industry particularly adventure tourism like mountaineering, river rafting, para gliding skiing, boating, diving etc.

IATO also stand for the latest technology to develop tourism in rural areas as 80% of India lives in the villages.

IATO is committed to provide tourism in the rural areas and promote rural India abroad. This will result in export of the great Indian culture which still continues to survive in ruler India despite the invasion of the foreign electronic media on our soil.

The details of the resolution which were passed at the convention are given below:-

Keeping in view the immense potential of tourism to create wealth, generate employment and increase foreign exchange and considering the growing awareness about the relevance of tourism to the national economy as expressed by the Prime Minister himself who acknowledged full awareness of the problems of the industry and also taking into account the new Draft Tourism Policy and the friendly tourism administration willing to place tourism on the national agenda, the XIV Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators unanimously makes the following recommendations: