Category Archives: MOT

The hospitality sector is a critical part of the tourism industry. COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on Maharashtra, and the state government has been taking concrete steps to revive the tourism industry. In this regard, the Maharashtra government had announced that from 1 April 2021, hotels in the state registered with the Union Ministry of Tourism to be charged an industrial rate for electricity, seed fee, water tax, property tax, development tax, increased carpet area index, and non-agricultural tax. Hotels that are not registered with the Union Ministry of Tourism will be charged tax at the industrial rate only after meeting the stipulated criteria for attaining basic minimum standards. The state government also established an expert committee for this cause and also ensured that the process of meeting the criteria is completed within the duration of two months. Following that, hotels that meet the conditions for the online application process are levied taxes and fees at the industrial rate. The state government issued this decision in compliance with the approval given at the cabinet meeting on 5 November 2020. The mechanism in place is assisting in the growth of hospitality businesses by providing industry status in a fast and effective manner, as well as promoting sustainable practices.

The ‘Consultative Meeting with Union Ministers on Draft National Tourism Policy’ has commenced. G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Tourism, Culture & DoNER, said, “The meeting featured discussions on approaching the pre-covid tourism numbers and innovative ways to tourism development through the Public Private Partnership model. Deliberations were done on wellness and medical tourism through ayurveda. Categorisation has been done on the basis of selected cities, selected hospitals and strategies have been prepared for leveraging arrivals from countries such as Gulf countries, African countries and South Asian countries. Special emphasis was given upon the development of tourist circuits in North Eastern region. The meeting also featured discussions on the development of regional connectivity scheme such as UDAN and infrastructure development such as seaplane and helicopter usage.”

Union Minister for Culture & Tourism, Kishan Reddy recently launched an app called ‘Museums of India’. He said, “It is a digital archive showcasing 750 glorious heritages from 8 national museums. The app offers features like Search & Retrieval, Access to 3D interactive objects, and Category-based browsing. This app will enable all of us to see and listen to stories, paintings, photography and speeches from the museums across the country.”

Shripad Yeso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has said that as the effects of coronavirus are waning, the tourism industry is slowly reviving and regaining its hold over the markets large-scale job creation along with adoption of newer and improved technology should be the end-goals of the tourism sector.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, along with State Tourism Ministers Ajay Bhatt and Shripad Yesso Naik, held a meeting to review various upcoming & ongoing projects of Ministry of Tourism, New Delhi. Senior officials of the ministry were present.

India has been focusing on confidence-building strategies post-pandemic to intensify its tourism sector in the Middle East region that has been one of its major targeted markets. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism said that India is focusing to ease the difficulties that were created for the tourists due to the spread of the coronavirus which impacted the world economy severely. “The Ministry has also been focusing on confidence-building strategies post- pandemic,” she said.

Union Tourism Minister, G. Kishan Reddy has said that river cruise industry could become a new tourism avenue in India in the coming years. He stressed the vast potential of the river cruise industry in the country. Aligning in the direction, he also invited domestic and international tourists to ‘Come, Cruise in India.’ According to him, the Government is currently working towards a comprehensive Indian National Tourism Policy and cruise tourism will be a priority sector. With Government initiatives like the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, tourism-related infrastructure is also being developed with a focus on shipping, river tourism, and forest and wildlife tourism.

G Kamala Vardhan Rao, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, has said that the 3 Ts, as far as Tourism is concerned – Trade, Technology & Tourism, the mantra for the 5 Trillion economy. Speaking at the International Cruise Conference 2022, also said, “The promotion of coastal tourism through beach tourism, lighthouse tourism, and cruise tourism will help communities.”

Speaking at the International Cruise Conference 2022 in Mumbai, G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister, Tourism, said, “Our aim is to promote domestic and international cruise terminals at selected ports by 2023. Since many Indians visit foreign destinations for cruises we are making efforts to promote it within India”.

Ministry of Tourism delegation, including Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism met international tour operators and travel agents on the 3rd day of ATM in Dubai, where they discussed matters in relation to e-visa facilities, single window immigration clearance, connectivity, way side amenities etc. Brar also gave a detailed presentation on India’s tourism offerings including niche products that the country offers to the international visitors. In line with Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji’s appeal for ‘Chalo India’ the focus was also given on the role of Indian diaspora for the publicity and promotion of Indian tourism.