HRAWI APPEALS TO THE PMO TO CONSIDER THE INDUSTRY AS INCLUSIVE OF TOURISM

National Tourism Policy 2015 Draft Neglects The Hospitality Industry

Mumbai: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) in reference to the latest draft on National Tourism Policy for 2015 although has appreciated the efforts to promote tourism, has also alleged that the policy has completely neglected the hospitality sector. The new policy that gives direct access to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in deciding the course of the tourism sector does not spell out any developmental recommendations for the hotel industry. The draft aims at promoting India as ‘Must Experience’ and ‘Must Revisit’ destination and includes many aspects of Prime Minister Modi’s vision like Make in India, Swachh Bharat, Smart Cities, International Yoga Day and Skill Development.

HRAWI has appealed to the PMO for the sector to be given the deserved attention and to be considered an inclusive part of tourism. The letter suggests that hospitality and tourism are interdependent industries and to better tourists’ experience it is necessary that the government gives hospitality industry an equally deserving boost.

“There is very little doubt that under the leadership of Narendra Modi tourism will achieve new heights. The tourism sector is projected to contribute 6.7 per cent to the country’s GDP and hospitality which is one of its strongest pillars generates revenues that are estimated to be nearly 40 per cent of that figure. It goes without saying that a foreign tourist who visits India will need accommodation and is their basecamp for all explorations they do during their visit here. If hospitality as a sector is ignored then the service levels will definitely take a plunge leading to a bad experience for the tourist. So, irrespective of whether they had a good time visiting India, they will be left with a bad taste in the mouth. Hence we appeal to the PMO to revisit their draft on the policy and make provisions that will ascertain that the hospitality industry too gets the deserved attention,” says Mr. Bharat Malkani.

At present India’s share in world tourist arrivals is a mere 0.68 per cent. The new policy aims at taking this figure up to 1 per cent by the year 2020 and then up it another per cent by the year 2025.

“With each passing year, maintaining and operating a hotel business is becoming cumbersome. The policies, regulations, fees, taxes, licencing requirements and other laws that were put in place for better administration by the government are today mostly hindrances in smooth functioning of the business. Our stance, with all that is administrative in nature, is necessary and may continue but there are better and much more efficient ways in which it can be carried out. Multiplicity and recurring licencing policies can be easily eradicated from the system without affecting the core mandates as set by the government. We have even identified and shared ‘Single Window Clearance’ system with the authorities and this system is a key solution to making things simplified for both the parties involved. What more, it can be made applicable to all the states in the country where there is need to bring in ease of doing business and not just for the state of Maharashtra,” says Mr. Malkani.

An online single window clearance shopping cart will increase room inventory for the State and reduce room tariffs besides reducing waste of time and increase efficiency. A foreigner staying one extra night will increase forex revenue to Maharashtra Government at INR 599 crores per night.

“There is much that India can achieve in tourism, as has been rightly projected in the new tourism draft policy. However if its allied industries, specifically hospitality, is not given appropriate impetus, then I fail to see tourism gaining the desired traction. Hopefully, our appeal will be seen in positive light and hospitality as an industry will be given a voice too,” concludes Mr. Malkani.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 65 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants, representing majority of Hotels and Restaurants across Western India, which covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa and is more or less considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry / Fraternity. The four Regional Associations form a part of the “Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India” (FHRAI) at the centre in New Delhi, which is our parent body. The Association is part of the national body of the “Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India”, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950, by the late Mr. J.R. D. Tata.