Tag Archives: Rajiv Mehra

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, has shared that they know that SEIS will not be given by the government. Hence, they have requested the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce that at least for tour operators and travel agents, whatever they earn in foreign exchange, a 5-10% duty drawback should be given to them. “But nothing has happened. We have had no response or no further meetings on this with them. There has been no headway. So, it looks like the government doesn’t want to do that. We have told them that to support the industry, this is the minimum they can do.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, has said, “With yoga day being celebrated worldwide, India will come to the mind of everyone and publicity will be in favour of India as a destination for the same. The message will be loud and clear for India.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO has requested the government to remove hurdles which are creating hindrances in revival of inbound tourism to our country and also has requested to help in in getting refund of travel agents from Jet Airways. He has requested to MoCA that directives should be issued to all domestic airlines, not to make it compulsory for the travelers to do web check-in.

MoT recently organised virtual roadshow titled ‘Incredible India Reconnect 2022’ from 26th April 2022 and IATO has written to them saying that virtual roadshows are no good and are not solving their problems, revealed Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO. They emphasised to have physical B2B meetings by organising roadshows which will be more meaningful and fruitful to revive business, he added.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, has thanked the MOT and MoCA for reinstating the Commercial Airport Entry Airport Pass (AEP) for recognized tour operators and hotels. “We have been trying for a long time and now the orders have finally come. Now, at least when the borders open, our members can apply for airports passes in the same manner as they used to earlier, except there has been some capping on the number of passes available, for which we were given indication two years back, when the airport passes were being suspended,” he said.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, during their 36th convention in Gandhinagar announced that their next convention will be held in September 2022 at Bengaluru. They have even finalised their 2023 convention in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. He also revealed that they have got offers from many other states, one of which is J&K, where they might have a small event very soon.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, has said that with the reinstating of visas they have requested for reinstating airport passes. “Another issue we have taken up with the Government is the restoration of airport passes because when tourist traffic starts, people will start coming. Hence, our airport passes need to be restored immediately. We are in touch with the Government for the same. Also, they have reduced the number of passes per company, which we will cope with currently, but take it up once business comes back. We are in talks for all these issues and I am hopeful that by November 15, some of these major issues are sorted out,” he shared.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, has shared that e-Tourist visa website has been opened for foreigners, for 30 day validity, which will be counted in the free 5 lakh visa granted by GoI. However, he said that e-visa for UK and Canada has still not been opened, and they still need to apply for paper visa. In addition, the Government should also start scheduled international flights.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO and Pronab Sarkar, Immediate Past President, IATO met with Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, in her office to thank her for the recent announcements for revival of tourism and also to seek support from the government on issues like SEIS, TCS, GST, ECLGS and export industry status. A communication from IATO mentioned that the meeting was historic and fruitful. On issue of ECLGS, she said that revised rules and guidelines are being issued to the banks. On the other issues raised by the IATO representatives, she gave a very patient hearing and assured to look into their suggestions/recommendations favourably based on its merit.

In a written appeal, IATO has urged the Union Finance Minister to ask the GST council to consider rationalisation or lowering of GST on various tourism related services at their upcoming meeting. In a statement, IATO has said that this would help boost the sector as and when the revival happens.  Rajiv Mehra, President IATO, said “The inbound tourism has been the worst hit and if we were to get these financial relief it will help us give us some strength to bounce back. Sincerely hope that our requests will be given serious consideration by the GST council. I would also request the Ministry of Home Affairs to start planning on opening an E-Tourist Visa in phases as Vaccination in many source markets like USA, UK and other European Markets are almost complete. This can be done in stages and on reciprocal basis, so that inbound tourism business can start which will not only revive economic activities but also will bring back jobs lost during the last 14 months.”