The big wait is finally over. Like the other sectors, the tourism and hospitality industry awaited with much anticipation and optimism for the GST rates announcements. Today, we hear of mixed reactions from various quarters – while the budget hotel category (like OYO Rooms) are naturally elated with the lower tax rates, the luxury segment and restaurants are shocked by the high rates. For the airline industry, the economy class segment is expected to benefit. While some industry experts believe that GST implementation is a great leveller, the fact however remains that the complexity of the scenario will adversely affect the industry. Many comparisons are being made to GST rates in other countries in Asia, and how the high rates in India will further make India an uncompetitive destination. At the time of going to the press, there is a 12 hour bandh by hotels and restaurants in South India, in protest against GST. Let us hope there is a rethink on the rates, in particular for hotels and restaurants.
Among our many unique offerings to the world is the living heritage of yoga. In terms of tourism, India’s many unique yoga hotspots need to be promoted across the world and in India. We have featured some of these destinations in this issue, which need to be packaged and promoted well, for both inbound segment and the new age experiential Indian traveller. We hear Yoga Retreats in the Canadian Rockies are becoming more and more popular, some with interesting additions like helicopter tours. Why not have our own indigenous brands of yoga tourism products, both for midscale and HNI segments – we have the destinations, the range of accommodation options and the best yoga experts in the world, what is needed is focused strategy by concerned stakeholders and some clever marketing.