9th June 2020

To All Members,

SUBJECT: Update on IATO Activities (1st June, Monday to 7th June, Sunday 2020)

Dear Members

Greetings

Please find appended relevant activities of our association for the period (1st June to 7th June 2020)

Heading used are

  1. Communication / Letters addressing key issues
  2. Webinars/ Panel Discussion/Circular

Request your feedback to further the content of our weekly report. 

1. Communication / Letters addressing key issues

2nd June(Tuesday)

  • MSME Loan to Tour Operators and other tourism industry stakeholders registered under MSME and OD Limit

On the 2nd of June IATO President wrote a letter to Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, referring the discussion with the Hon’ble Tourism Minister on 27th May 2020, wherein IATO had raised issues being faced by the tour operators with regard to loans. 

  • Non- Collateral loans to the tour operators under MSME. A company which does not have any existing loan and new registered MSME companies do not qualify for any fresh loan under the scheme 
  • Tour Operators declared under high risk category.
  • Moratorium on Bank Loan EMIs, IATO has requested that it should be without any accrued and accumulated interest during 6 months’ period and it needs to be extended for twelve months.  
  • Inbound Tour Operators who bring in foreign tourists and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country, collapsing - need urgent monetary support to survive

On the 2nd of June IATO President wrote a letter to     Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India on the above subject and sought help with respect to

  1. Non- Collateral loans to the tour operators under MSME
  2. Tour Operators declared under high risk category by the Banks and this needs to be looked into
  3. Moratorium on Bank Loan EMIs to be without any accrued and accumulated interest during 6 months’ period and it needs to be extended for twelve months for Tourism Industry. 

3rd June (Wednesday)

  • IATO requests to reduce entrance fee at all ASI monuments for foreigners - needs support to revive 

On the 3rd of June IATO President wrote to Shri Anand Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Culture requesting if Ministry of Culture/ Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) could reduce the entrance fee for foreign nationals for entrance at ASI Monuments and they could be charged the same entrance fee which is being charged from the nationals of SAARC countries till 31st March 2022.  

This will help inbound tour operators to reduce the package cost and also will give a message globally that India is ready for welcoming the foreign tourists.

Copies were sent to Mr, Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary Tourism, GOI, Mrs. V Vidyavathi, Director General (ASI) and Mrs. Meenakshi Sharma, Director General Tourism, GOI.

4th June (Thursday)

  • Resuming Tourism & Hospitality Operations and Instilling Confidence amongst customers post pandemic and seeking inputs from IATO

On the 4th of June IATO President wrote to Mr. C. Gangadhar, Asst. Director General (Rtrd), Ministry of Tourism on Steps for reviving tourism industry- domestic & international travel and how to infuse confidence amongst travellers and make travel a safe experience.

IATO inputs & suggestions

  • Wait till the time situation is under control and the Vaccination for Covid-19 is discovered. 
  • Proper Guidelines in writing with clear cut directives from all the states Governments that movement of domestic and International tourists in all the states will be without any hassle and they will not be quarantined in any state.
  • Start marketing campaign through digital platforms stating that situation in States / India is under control and all safety and hygiene precautions are being taken by the Centre and State Governments with proper guidelines for tourists
  • E-Tourist Visa should be in place in its original form
  • SOPs/Guidelines formulated by MHA with proper hygiene and safety of tourists for Airports, Aircrafts, Hotels and other tourism standpoints.
  • Proper Training to Auxiliary Service providers to follow the norms/guidelines of the SOPs.
  • Post Covid once international tourist starts travelling, we will face tough competition from neighbouring countries. We need to offer very competitive tourism packages with support from the government:

a) waiving off Visa Fee for Tourist visa/e-Tourist visa to India for all foreign nationals till 30th September, 2022,

b) To reduce the entrance fee for foreign nationals for entrance at ASI Monuments and they could be charged the same entrance fee which is being charged from the nationals of SAARC countries till 30th September, 2022. 

c)     GST Tax Holiday till 31st March 2022 and

d)    Exemption of Road Tax / Transport Tax till 30th September, 2022.

  • Request for full Refund of advance payment made for bookings of Wildlife Safaris in Rajasthan and cancelled due to Covid -19 

On the 4th of June IATO President wrote to Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan that no refund has been made by the Rajasthan Wildlife Park Authorities for bookings made and cancelled for the foreign tourists who could not visit India due to cancellation of E-Visa/Visa from different countries on different dates and suspension of flights from/to certain countries followed by closure of all international and domestic flights on 25th March 2020.

IATO has requested kind intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and issue directives to the concerned authorities in the Wildlife and Forest Department to give full refund to the tour operators with Nil cancellations charges at the earliest enable refund the same to our foreign clients at the earliest.

Copies of the letter were marked to Shri Vishvendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Shri Kuldeep Ranka, Principal Secretary, Mr. Sudhansh Pant, Principal Secretary Forests, Wildlife & Environment, Mrs. Sreya Guha, Principal Secretary Tourism and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (HOFF), Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. Bhanwar Lal, Director, Tourism – all from Government of Rajasthan and Bhim Singh, Chairman, IATO Rajasthan Chapter

  • Request for Refund of advance payment made for bookings of Wildlife Safaris in Madhya Pradesh and cancelled due to Covid -19 

On the 4th of June IATO President wrote to Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh that no refund has been made by the Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Park Authorities for bookings made and cancelled for the foreign tourists who could not visit India due to cancellation of E-Visa/Visa from different countries on different dates and suspension of flights from/to certain countries followed by closure of all international and domestic flights on 25th March 2020.

IATO has requested kind intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and issue directives to the concerned authorities in the Wildlife and Forest Department to give full refund to the tour operators with Nil cancellations charges at the earliest enable refund the same to our foreign clients at the earliest.

Copies of the letter were marked to Shri Ashok Barnwal, Principal Secretary (Forests), Mr. I.C.P Keshari, IAS, OSD-Cum-Commissioner, Tourism & Managing Director, Shri Rajesh Shrivastava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri H.S. Mohanta, Secretary (Forests), Forest Department, all from Government of Madhya Pradesh and Mr. Gopal Rai, Chairman IATO Madhya Pradesh Chapter.

5th June (Friday)

  • Full Refund Request for Palace on Wheels (Luxury Train) by RTDC for Foreign Tourists which were cancelled due to Covid-19

On the 5th of June IATO President wrote to Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan requesting Full Refund for Palace on Wheels (Luxury Train) by RTDC for Foreign Tourists which were cancelled due to Covid-19 as foreign tourists who could not visit India due to cancellation of E-Visa/Visa from different countries on different dates and suspension of flights from/to certain countries followed by closure of all international and domestic flights on 25th March 2020.

IATO requested the kind intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and issue directives to the concerned authorities in Rajasthan Tourism/RTDC to give full refund to the tour operators with Nil cancellations charges at the earliest enable refund the same to our foreign clients at the earliest.

Copies of the letter were marked to Shri Vishvendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Shri Kuldeep Ranka, Principal Secretary, Mrs. Sreya Guha, Principal Secretary Tourism, Dr. Bhanwar Lal, Director, Tourism, all from Government of Rajasthan and Bhim Singh, Chairman, IATO Rajasthan Chapter

 

 2.    Webinars/ Panel Discussions/Circulars

1St June(Monday)

  • Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB) Webinar by India Tourism Delhi today, the 1st June 2020 at 12 pm

Members were informed about Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB) Webinar by India Tourism Delhi today, the 1st June 2020 at 12 pm

  • SEPC Membership for the Service Experts earning foreign exchange to Avail SEIS and other incentives

On the 1st of June members were informed about a communication from Service Export Promotion Council regarding SEPC Membership for the Service Exporters. All members who are Earning Foreign Exchange and wish to avail SEIS and other benefits may apply for the membership. It is mandatory to become member of SEPC for availing SEIS and other benefits under foreign trade policy.

  • Dekho Apna Desh Webinar on 2nd June 2020 at 1100 hours - Haryana: Culture, Cuisine and Tourism

Members were informed about the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Dekho Apna Desh Webinar on 2nd June 2020 at 1100 hours on “Haryana: Culture, Cuisine and Tourism”.

2nd June (Tuesday)

  •  Interactive Webinar on ‘Tourism, Hospitality & Transport – CHALLENGES’ on Tuesday, 2nd June 2020, 12:00 PM onwards with SHRI SURESH PRABHU, Hon’ble Member of Parliament.

IATO President was invited by WTTCCI to join an interactive Webinar on ‘Tourism, Hospitality & Transport – CHALLENGES’ on Tuesday, 2nd June 2020, 12:00 PM onwards with SHRI SURESH PRABHU, Hon’ble Member of Parliament.

3rd June (Wednesday)

  • Dekho Apna Desh Webinars being organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on 4th June 2020 and 6th June 2020

Members were informed of the email received from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India regarding Dekho Apna Desh Webinars on 4th June 2020 and 6th June 2020.

1.  Thursday, the 4th June 2020, from 1100 – 1200 hours on “India - A Golfers' Paradise”

 2.  Saturday, the 6th June 2020, from 1100-1200 hours on “Wild wonders of Madhya Pradesh” 

  5th June (Friday)

  • ICPB webinar on Saturday, the 6th June 2020 at 12 pm on the subject - ‘Are we ready to reopen - How do address the pandemic, while at work/ Attending Conferences/ hotel stays? Let’s learn from medical expert'

Members were informed about the ICPB webinar on Saturday, the 6th June 2020 at 12 pm on the subject - ‘Are we ready to reopen - How do address the pandemic, while at work/ Attending Conferences/ hotel stays? Let’s learn from medical expert'

With regards,

Rahul Chakravarty

COO