Amidst the ongoing price competition between tour operators and online travel portals, tour operators across India have suggested an ‘Ethical Tourism Policy’. Speaking on the suggestion, Rakesh Lamba, co-chairman, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, said, “Online travel portals are creating a problem for offline travel agents. Websites are selling travel products on-cost or below-cost, hence eliminating profits. Instead of price war, there should be a service war in the industry. If everyone agrees on this, the industry will be organised and it will be a ‘win-win’ situation for both, tour operators and online travel portals.”
Tour operators have also suggested that hoteliers should have common display rates on the online portals.