Indian Association of Tour Operators the apex body of tour operators has declared to work in active co-operation and unity for the promotion of tourism in India and promoting tourism to India all over the world. this historic declaration was made on the concluding session of the XIV Annual Convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators. This declaration was endorsed by the following Associations who were present on the occasion, namely:-

-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:

There is an absolute need for continuity in Tourism Policy based on long term perspective. Towards this objective IATO considers it imperative that there should be a National Tourism Authority with the majority representatives from the industry and experts and senior functionaries of the tourism ministry. Such an authority will oversee tourism planning, liaison with inter ministerial coordination Committee and take appropriate steps conducive to investment, promotion and marketing. The need for such an authority has become greater as the Draft Tourism Policy itself acknowledges the pivotal role of the private sector in the development and growth of Tourism. Only such a permanent and statutory body with functional autonomy can ensure continuity and sustainability of Tourism Policies which had been lacking so far. This should be done within a time frame. Tourism should be given priority attention as a source of foreign exchange receipts, generator of employment and means of improving the life style of every Indian. IATO on its part, is willing for a dialogue with other apex bodies of the trade with a view to achieving unity.

IATO welcomes assurances by the Ministers that the Government would take a favourable decision on the demand of the industry to declare inbound tourism as an export product.

IATO looks forward to an announcement in this regard without delay. On its part IATO expresses its readiness for a further follow-up in the creation of an export promotion council for Tourism and pledges to fulfill the consequential responsibility. The IATO Executive Committee will apprise members of the implications of the conferment of the export status shortly after it is announced .

Looking forward to the Government announcement on suspension of service tax till March, 2000, IATO expresses its gratitude to the Tourism Minister and the Finance Minister for responding to the request.

The Convention takes a somber view of the state of inbound tourism which has been hit by negative growth.

The convention examined various lacuna in our system inhibiting the growth of tourism taking into account the global recession and the currency crises in East Asia.

The convention exhorts its members to convert the challenges posed by these developments into opportunities. At the same time it urges different Ministries of the Government to remove obstacles to tourism Growth in respect of facilitation and core infrastructure relating to roads, airport, transport and communication. There has to be a greater co-ordination among the related Ministries in smooth handling of day to day problems.

IATO expresses concern at the stray incidence of harassment of tourists which will tarnish the image of the country.

While IATO extends all assistance to tourists, it wants the Home Ministry and the state administration to initiate speedy administrative and legislative action for the safety and security of the tourists & also evolve mechanism to ensure that the tour operators for an act beyond the control of tour operators.

The convention fully supports the Governments initiative in organizing the Budha Mahotsava and the Khajuraho millennium through active promotional measures. At the same time, we want to impress upon the authorities the urgency for proper airlines connections particularly at Varanasi and Bhubaneswar, road repairs and security measures. Wide bodied aircraft should be able to land at the airports.

Adventure and Eco-tourism is a growing segment of the industry in which there is a considerable interest in the overseas market. Our overseas officials, handling tourist, should be encouraged to familiarize themselves with the terrain facilities and the kind of events which could be organised for visitors.

Adventure Tour Operators should be allowed to import duty free tools & sophisticated equipment not available in India. Anachronistic and often contradictory regulations have to be rectified. More restricted areas should be opened to tourists. After all, adventure tourism helps in preserving environment. Legislation for providing comprehensive insurance cover for adventurous enthusiasts should be enacted. There should be proper utilisation of resources for human resource development with a view to involving local youth. There is a need to sensitize the customers as well as the providers of the services to the importance of the environment. The routes and taxes for reaching adventure destinations should be rationalised. The code of conduct which is to be followed in pursuit of Adventure Tourism should be designed for sustainable growth.

The convention notes with regrets that while the potential of domestic tourism is immense, there is a woeful neglect of infrastructure. Under the present approval scheme, the budget hotels are on low priority so much so that many of them have to await recognition for long. So is the plight of guest houses. A single agency with trade representatives should be entrusted with the responsibility of classification and approval of this segment of supplementary accommodation. Equally important is the accessibility to the important tourist destinations and health and good hygienic conditions. Most of the domestic tourists travel by surface transport. It is time that the country has efficient inter-city services on the pattern of Greyhound and Eurocity buses and there should be adequate wayside facilities.

IATO, since its inception, had been asking for uninterrupted movement of coaches through different states and single point collection and rationalisation of taxation policy. It is sad to state that our repeated requests year after year have been overlooked. Hassle-free Interstate movement is essential for the growth of domestic and international tourism. Air transportation has a symbiotic linkage with tourism. And for that reason, it would have been better if both were placed under one Ministry. As with tourism, there has to be a continuity in the civil aviation sector. It will be in the greater interest of tourism, that there should be stable air schedules for services for linking tourist destinations. This will be possible if only there is greater competition among the airlines. Unfortunately the competition has taken a back seat. As a result, tourist destinations like Khajuraho, Lakshadweep, Port Blair and Leh have been affected. There has been little development in airport infrastructure. A proper comprehensive aviation policy is urgently called for. For tourism growth more international carriers should be allowed to operate services to India without insisting on reciprocity, particularly when AIR India does not have the requisite fleet. Unless there is an expansion of air network we will be landing ourselves on the same problems experienced before, namely overseas operators' reluctance to promote India. IATO regrets that not withstanding the commitment as early as last September, the Railways have not yet recognised tour operators' services so much so that many foreign tourists are inconvenienced to procure train booking. Seat capacity is also inadequate on tourist circuits. Visa fees should be frozen for some countries during Visit India Year. Another long standing demand of the IATO is to extend "Shatabdi" train from Jaipur to Agra and vice versa has not been met. IATO suggests more interaction between tour operators and the railways to promote tourism. Tour operators should be treated as a separate category. Railway policy should pay special attention to the protection of visitors.

IATO takes note of the importance given to Rural tourism in the Draft Tourism Policy and would like to co-ordinate promotional efforts with the state governments and the centre. Rural Tourism should ensure local participation and generate rural employment . IATO will work forward in clientele. There should be separate Rural Tourism Policy for every state.

IATO has long been pleading for concerted action by all apex bodies of the trade on shared problems. But for some reasons or the other, it has not materialised. IATO re-iterates that without being deterred by the setbacks it will continue its efforts unitedly not only with hoteliers and travel agents but also with airlines, railways, guides, tourist coach operators with a single objective of tourism growth.

The Executive Committee of Indian Association of Tour Operators met today at Hotel Kanishka and observed two minutes silence in memory of those tourists who were washed away in the recent disaster in Uttarkashi (U.P.) Executive Committee has unanimously resolved the creation of a fund for the disaster relief for the next of kin of the victims of disaster.