SC Kamra, Advocate & Taxation Consultant, IATO questioned regularity with which govt. reduced turnover threshold from ₹500 cr to ₹10 cr. “Industry apprehends it to be ₹5 cr, taking tour operators’ compliance cost of e-invoicing,” he added.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has said that currently there are 0.4 million cruise passengers who board cruises from India. “The target is to take it to 4 million by 2040. For that, there is work already going in strengthening of infrastructure and developing new circuits,” he added.

Speaking at a programme in Ponda-South, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said there is a vast scope in the tourism and hospitality sector in Goa. “The way star hotels are established in Goa and increasing footfall of tourists, in future Goa will become tourism capital of India,” he added.  

Naveen Kundu, MD, EbixCash termed the hospitality industry as the ‘sunrise industry’ having an immense potential. “80 per cent growth is expected from the hospitality industry over the next 5-7 years. Today, 25 % of the FDI coming to India will come through hospitality industry,” he said. 

According to the global tourism body, WTTC has forecasted that the sector will grow its GDP contribution to ₹ 36.8TN by 2033, approximately 7% of the Indian economy and will employ over 58.2 million people across the country, with one in 10 working in the sector. 

TCS will be a deterrent for international travel and we hope that government will get further time to think over it. “I am not so happy about this decision because it’s only a deferment of three months” responded Manoj Saraf, MD, Gainwell Travel & Leisure.

Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI believes that policy contradicts the government’s slogan of “ease of doing business” in India. “It is relief now, but situation is complicated. If such policies continue to emerge, it will be difficult to conduct business.

Reacting to the recent TCS amendment, Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, questioned, “If luxury car attracts only 1% TCS then why is travel fraternity victimized?” He added that the change will provide breather but won’t take away the fact that scheme was hastily implemented.

Guldeep Singh Sahni, Director, Weldon Tours And Travels expressed gratitude to Finance Ministry over TCS Amendment. “It was a big relief for the travel industry. The outbound tour operators’ business is greatly impacted by this decision and it is victory for the sector.

PM Narendra Modi said we should use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and argumented reality to drive innovation. “Collaboration among governments, entrepreneurs, and investors, can boost technology implementation in tourism, ” he added.