IATO urges PM Modi for Rs 1,000 cr boost to Incredible India Campaign

Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said Monday it has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has requested for an immediate budgetary allocation of Rs 1000 crore under the Incredible India Campaign.

IATO said it is also seeking the formation of “India Tourism Board” under the PM’s leadership with the specific objective of increasing foreign tourist arrivals. These measures are required as the coming season is a few months away and can help boost inbound tourism in this financial year, the industry body said in a statement.

As per trends observed by IATO and discussion with every other FTA( Foreign Tourist Arrival) stakeholder, it is assessed by the body that FTA in India has not still not touched the 2019 levels in the last financial year.


"When global trade is facing unprecedented disruptions due to tariff wars and geopolitical shifts, tourism exports remain unaffected by such constraints. Unlike goods, India's tourism export (i.e. foreign tourists spending in India), which is non-tariff based, brings direct foreign exchange earnings into the country," said IATO president Ravi Gosain.

"This positions inbound tourism as a stable, sustainable, and immediate contributor to India’s current account with valuable foreign exchange, employment generation and balances forex trade deficit. Yet , regretfully the country is lagging in its effort to attract foreign tourists," he added.

He said to enhance FTA numbers besides the steps suggested above the country needs simplified visa facilitation, fast-tracking of group tourist visas besides exploring visa fees waivers for select countries. "Further we need to Incentivise international airlines and air charters to improve air connectivity to key tourism circuits, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 destinations”, he added.