|
State Tourism Ministers’ Conference which concluded here today, resolved to make all tourist sites “Plastic Free” and area around the important monuments “Free From Vehicular Traffic”. The Conference also recommended reduction of State Sales Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel and rationalization of other taxes in tourism and travel sector. The Conference chaired by Smt. Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State for Tourism passed the following resolutions:
· Tourism is a major driver of economic growth and employment creation. States will work towards making it the priority sector in the States’ planning process with enhanced financial outlays.
· States will endeavor for development of quality manpower and “Athithi Devo Bhavah” campaign would be taken forward for quality manpower development in collaboration with the State Governments.
· States would strive for development of world class infrastructure at tourism sites including improvement of urban infrastructure and ensuring better connectivity to major tourist destinations.
· States would work towards streamlining their land policy by re-zoning and redefining land use to facilitate development of adequate hotel rooms in metro cities and at tourism sites.
· Each state will strive to have one or more airport to be declared and equipped as an international airport allowing scheduled foreign airlines to land.
· States agreed to work towards rationality and uniformity of taxes so as to make their destinations competitive. It was agreed that this alone would lead to increased tourist arrivals and generate higher revenues. The model of a uniform taxation regime in each zone will also be examined by the States.
· States would work towards reduction/removal of State Sales Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATS) to make the domestic airfare competitive for boosting domestic tourism. The declaration of ATF as “declared good”, where uniform CST of 4% is levied, will also be taken up for implementation. The proposal of a basic fare and a separate surcharge on ATF to the concerned destinations will be examined by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
· States would take up the issue of operation and maintenance of tourist infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships.
· States resolved to make all tourist sites “Plastic Free” and also take necessary steps to develop the area in and around the important monuments “Free From Vehicular Traffic” and give due regard to the sustainability of the environment. There will also be an effort towards better maintenance of tourist destinations and also opening of souvenir shops and public conveniences at these sites.
· States should give a separate and distinct “TV” series for Tourist Vehicles of recognized tourist transport operators.
NCJ/SR
|
