Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 25: The state government is mulling to introduce tourism trade legislation in the state along the lines of other states with vibrant tourism industries.
Speaking exclusively to Orissa POST at the sidelines of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) national convention, state tourism minister Ashok Chandra Panda said the government is taking steps towards introducing the legislation to boost tourism.
“The state government is mulling to introduce the tourism trade legislation in the state. Primitive works relating to this are going on. However, we cannot set a deadline of coming up with the legislation,” Panda said.
The move is likely to give a major boost to the tourism and hospitality sector in the state. In order to promote investment in the state, the state government recently came up with the new industrial policy resolution which talks about giving incentives to industries. The tourism sector also got a major reprieve a day before FHRAI’s mega convention when the state government lifted the ban on entry of foreigners in the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) areas.
Tourism trade legislation often paves the way for bringing uniformity in the tourism and hospitality sector. These legislations talk about fixing ceiling on tariffs by tour operators and hotels, help in bringing uniformity among stakeholders and also talk about fines and punishment for touting by local vendors and operators who try to annoy tourists.
It also mandates mandatory registration for all stakeholders. Although many states like Goa, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh have made legislations in this regard, dearth of any legislation on tourism was, according to experts, was amounting to giving non-professionals a free hand.
Nevertheless, the 50th annual national convention of FHRAI was held amid much fanfare. The convention witnessed convergence of a few Union and state ministers, besides members of FHRAI and key players in the hospitality sector from the state and across the country.
Union minister of state Mahesh Sharma who took part in the event talked about boosting Indian tourism through boosting medical tourism in the state and also opening a tourism office in New Delhi where all tourism officials would be present under one umbrella. He also set the target of tapping 1 per cent share of the global tourism market.
When asked by reporters why there are very few direct flights between Bhubaneswar and popular tourist destinations of the country, he said, “Orissa has huge tourism potential. We are examining how to connect it with major destinations. We will work towards connecting this city to other popular Buddhist and religious tourist circuits.”
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “To boost tourism in the state the government has taken the tourism sector as a priority sector. The sector acts like an employment multiplier and helps the state in revenue generation. Orissa is a fantastic state in terms of tourism potential and has much to offer to investors.”
TS Walia, chairman of FHRAI, said, “The country is now grappling with dearth of high end hotel accommodation. Excessive levying of tax is also compounding problems. A few moves like e-visa and single window clearance have offered some solutions to problems. We hope in the coming days of the convention MoUs would be signed between different stakeholders.”
The convention was also attended by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union tribal minister Jual Oram, state industries minister Debi Mishra and others.
Bollywood actors Mahima Choudhury and Gulshan Grover also participated in the convention.
Earlier in the morning, a 3D Orissa map was unveiled at Biju Patnaik International Airport by a delegation of FHRAI members and state government officials including the state tourism minister.
