What a month it has been for India indeed. It feels like a country that has been rejuvenated, looking into the future with renewed energy. The new shift in power at the centre with the saffron and lotus appeal will definitely add a new flavour and colour to the socio-economic, political and cultural recipe of our great country. Industrialists both large enterprise and SMEs, everyone is looking towards some progressive announcements and the fashionable term of single window clearance actually getting teeth amongst many other elements on the wishlist. The hospitality industry too is all geared to experience the new found enthusiasm that the country is going through. Investors, leaders and analysts in the service industry space are waiting for some path breaking news over time from taxation issues, to licensing, from investor friendly policies to that of getting industry status for a sector that is always perceived as luxury and non-priority.
When Modi spoke about the famous five Ts, with tourism being one of them, the tourism and hospitality sector has already got into celebration mode and feels this neglected sector is finally set to get its place in the sun. This enthusiasm is not only being felt in India but interestingly the world is looking at India with renewed energy. My recent meeting with the PM of New Zealand was proof enough that the world is waiting to work with India on a new level. He was positive that the long pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will receive a positive push under the new government. The link between tourism and economy was also clearly spelt at the WTTC Global Summit which focused on the economic benefits of tourism and the need to give it the status of importance that it deserves. There is a lot of work that the present government needs to do to give tourism its due.
The recently appointed Union minister of state for tourism and culture, Shripad Naik has put forth a robust development for Goa tourism as he comes from the northern region of that state. Interestingly, he addressed the link between employment and tourism and said that the tourism map of Goa will be employment centric. He also touched upon the topic of e-visa and the need to improve connectivity especially on the rail routes. Hinterland tourism, agro tourism, religious tourism would also be a part of his development agenda. We only hope these promises don’t remain just that. Which brings us to our cover story on the Himalayan region – the gap between promises made and the reality. Stakeholders take note.
Reema Lokesh
Editor
