Visit India 2009

The Ministry of Tourism has undertaken a series of confidence building measures to minimize the negative impact of the recent global economic meltdown followed by the terrorist attack in Mumbai and to promote tourism to India. Incentives are also being offered to give a boost to the travel industry in the country. These initiatives have been launched after series of discussions with stakeholders in the tourism industry.

The benefits being offered to the travel industry include :

1. Enhanced financial support for undertaking promotional activities overseas, under the Marketing Development (MDA) Scheme. Participation in three Trade Fairs / Exhibitions per year will now be permitted under the scheme, instead of two as per the earlier guidelines. The eligibility limit under the Scheme in terms of Foreign Exchange Earnings has also been increased from Rs. 10 Crore to Rs.20 Crore.

2. Enhanced subsidy of 25% in participation fee will be offered by the Ministry of Tourism and the Indiatourism offices overseas in the India Pavilions set up at the major International Travel Fairs and Exhibitions till the end of the financial year 2009-10.

3. With a view to promoting MICE Tourism, the scope of the MDA Scheme has been enhanced, so as to include active members of the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB). Financial support under the scheme would be provided to ‘Active Members’ of ICPB who in turn would release the same to Indian Association / Societies after bidding for International Conventions / Conferences, provided they win the bid or stand at second or third positions among the bidders.

To encourage investments in the hotel sector, the benefits being offered include :

1. External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) entitlement to fund import of equipments and Rupee requirements.

2. 5 years tax holiday for budget hotels coming up in Delhi and adjoining areas for the Commonwealth Games 2010.

3. Extension of tax holiday for new hotels coming up at World Heritage Sites

4. Enhanced FAR / FSI and rationalization of development charges for hotels in Delhi.

A “Visit India 2009” Scheme is being launched, whereby attractive incentives, by way of value additions would be offered to foreign tourists visiting the country during the period April to December 2009.

The value additions that would be offered include :

1. Complimentary international air passage for traveling companion

2. One night complimentary stay in the hotel booked by the tourist

3. One complimentary local sightseeing tour in any one city of visit and

4. One complimentary Rural Eco Holiday in the country

The scheme would work on the concept of providing one additional or complimentary service to the tourist, for every service paid for. The incentives would be offered in collaboration with Airlines, Hotels and Tour Operators.

The three major Indian carriers Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines are partners in the Scheme and will offer the complimentary air passages for traveling companions. All member hotels of the Hotel Association of India will offer one complimentary night stay in the hotel booked by the tourist. Members of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, who are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism will offer one complimentary local sightseeing tour in any one of the cities included in the itinerary of the tourist.

The Ministry of Tourism would give widespread publicity to the Scheme, through the website of the Ministry, by advertising in leading mainstream and trade publications, at road shows organized overseas and at the international travel fairs and exhibitions where Indiatourism offices would be participating.

Promotional initiatives have been launched in the important tourist generating markets overseas to promote tourism to the country.

1. Familiarsation tours for trade and media representatives to Mumbai and other regions of the country have been specially organized to project the ground realities relating to safety / security conditions in the country. Trade / Media representatives from USA, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore have visited India during the months of December 2008 and January 2009 as a result of this initiative.

2. A series of Road Shows in important tourist generating markets overseas would be organized during the first half of 2009, with participation of the travel industry. In the first instance, Road Shows have been finalised in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, U.K., Japan, S. Korea, USA and Canada during the period February – May 2009.

Source: PIB Press Release


Please read the full details at
http://visitindia2009.incredibleindia.org/


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