PC, Please See Hotelier and Caterer Express | 21 March, 2005 http://www.expresshotelierandcaterer.com/20050321/viewpoint01.shtml Dear Mr PC Chidambaram, Let me introduce myself; I am Tourism. At most times the Centre chooses to ignore my needs and I guess that's because I come across as glamorous, with little financial worries or requisites. Since it's the era of Help-the-Needy, industries assumed to be financially weak or drivers of the Indian economy and employment get preferred over me. The cold shoulder meted to me in the Union Budget 2005-06 shows just that... Or is it because I am more successful than others? Consider that foreign tourist arrivals into the country grew at a rate of 17.3 per cent and domestic tourists too are increasing in numbers. But what really beats me is why I am clubbed with the elitist bandwagon. In the recent Economic Survey 2004-05 brought out by your colleagues in the Planning Commission, I was identified as one of India's important export industries. And even with comparatively low levels of international tourist traffic (three million), I have already emerged as an important segment of the Indian economy and as an instrument for generating employment opportunities. Apart from my direct contribution to the economy, I have significant linkages with several other sectors like the agriculture, food processing, construction and import/export of products and services. Each industry's growth is intrinsically linked to my growth. It won't also be news to you that I am one of India's main foreign exchange earner. For 2003-04, I accounted for US$ 3,945 million in foreign exchange earnings, showcasing a growth of 30.2 per cent from 2002-03 when the corresponding growth was just 4.1 per cent. I am mystified that you completely choose to forget my contribution to your success as finance minister. In both your Budget speeches, you stressed emphatically on the need to generate employment for the unemployed of the country. And I totally agree with you and compliment you for your efforts. But don't you think, I can help you on that front. In fact, I have been doing so. As per estimates of the Department of Tourism (DoT), total direct employment in the tourism sector in India was about 20 million during 2003-04, while the indirect employment multiplier is estimated at 1.36. And these figures are growing each day. In Budget 2005-06, I was hoping for some proactive policies for me, especially since the last three budgets had a few partial measures. But you have yet again chosen to ignore my existence. What good is an increase in outlay when what is really required are relaxation and uniformity of taxes, infrastructure status for the industry, infrastructure development in major metro cities and tourist destinations, curb of bureaucratic procedures to increase the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), change of existing land laws to make land available and economical in order for tourism-related development to flourish. We have only 91,698 hotel rooms in the approved category while we need at least 100,000 more room to host the tourists we are targeting. You have given me nothing except some lip service and a few more worry-lines. No thanks for the fringe benefit tax and the amendment to the service tax on export/import of taxable services. Do you not notice or choose not to notice me. Here's my request. Dear PC, Please Open Your Eyes And See... Yours Truly Tourism - Savio Rodrigues <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/EA3HyD/3MnJAA/79vVAA/NJYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> �������������������������������������������������������� This is ZESTEconomics. Post economics-related articles and event info to [email protected] If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTEconomics by sending a blank mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTEconomics/join ==theZESTcommunity====================================== [1] ZESTCurrent: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCurrent/ [2] ZESTEconomics: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTEconomics/ [3] ZESTGlobal: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTGlobal/ [4] ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/ [5] ZESTPoets: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTPoets/ [6] ZESTCaste: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ [7] ZESTAlternative: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTAlternative/ [8] TalkZEST: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TalkZEST/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTEconomics/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
