THE SRINAGAR RETREAT A REPORT
Transcript of THE SRINAGAR RETREAT A REPORT
THE SRINAGAR RETREAT
A REPORT
CONTENTS
SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION
President’s Foreword ............................................................................ 3
The WTTC India Initiative – The Members ........................................ 4
SECTION TWO: THE SRINAGAR RETREAT
The Programme of Events .................................................................... 6-7
The Delegates ...................................................................................... 8
Conclusions and Recommendations ..................................................... 9-17
Glimpses .............................................................................................. 18-19
The Group Photograph ........................................................................ 20-21
SECTION THREE: THE NEXT STEP
The Srinagar Declaration ...................................................................... 24
The Valedictory RemarksMr N K Singh ...................................................................................... 25
The Conclusion ................................................................................... 26
CHAIRMAN:
Sir Ian ProsserChairmanInterContinental Hotels Group
VICE CHAIRMEN:
American Airlines
Jean-Marc EspaliouxChairman of Management Board &CEOAccor
André JordanChairmanLusotur SA
Jonathan S LinenVice ChairmanAmerican Express Company
Vincent A WolfingtonChairmanCarey International, Inc
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Peter ArmstrongPresident & CEORocky Mountaineer Railtours
David BabaiChairmanGullivers Travel Associates
Sebastián EscarrerVice ChairmanSol Meliá
Manuel Fernando Espírito SantoPresidentEspírito Santo Tourism
Edouard EttedguiGroup Chief ExecutiveMandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Maurice Flanagan CBEGroup Managing DirectorThe Emirates Group
Michael FrenzelChairmanTUI AG
David HouseGroup President, Global Networkand Establishment ServicesAmerican Express Company
Richard R KelleyChairmanOutrigger Enterprises, Inc
Geoffrey J W KentChairman & CEOAbercrombie & Kent
J W Marriott, JrChairman & CEOMarriott International, Inc
David MichelsChief Executive, Hilton Group plcHilton International
Curtis NelsonPresident & CEOCarlson Companies
P R S OberoiChief ExecutiveThe Oberoi Group
Henry SilvermanChairman, President & CEOCendant Corporation
Jonathan TischChairman & CEOLoews Hotels
Brett TollmanVice ChairmanThe Travel Corporation
GLOBAL MEMBERS:
Akbar Al BakerCEOQatar Airways
Giovanni AngeliniCEO & Managing DirectorShangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Phil BakesChairman & CEOFAR&WIDE Travel Corporation
Ted BalestreriChairman & CEOCannery Row Company
Henrik BartlHead of InternationalHotel FinancingAareal Bank AG
Jurgen BaumhoffCEOQatar National Hotels Company
Gordon BethuneChairman of the Board & CEOContinental Airlines
Raymond BicksonManaging DirectorThe Taj Group of Hotels
Richard BrownChief ExecutiveEurostar GroupRegis BulotChairman of the BoardRelais & Chateaux
Marilyn Carlson NelsonChairman & CEOCarlson Companies
Alun CathcartDeputy ChairmanAvis Europe Plc
U Gary CharlwoodFounder, Chairman & CEOUniglobe Travel (International)Inc
Jennie ChuaChairman & CEORaffles International Hotels &Resorts
David CliftonManaging Director, Europe & AsiaInterval International
Glen DavidsonSenior VP, Worldwide TravelInsurance & Related ServicesAmerican International Group Inc
Alain DemissyChairmanMondial Assistance Group
Rod EddingtonChief ExecutiveBritish Airways plc
Mathias EmmerichChairmanRail Europe Group, Inc
Rakesh GangwalPresident & CEOWorldspan
Laurence GellerChairman & CEOStrategic Hotel Capital
Henri Giscard d’EstaingChairman & CEOClub Méditerranée
Maurice H GreenbergChairman & CEOAmerican International GroupInc
Naresh GoyalChairmanJet Airways
Richard HelferRaffles International Hotels &Resorts
James HensleyPresidentAllied Europe
James HoganPresident & Chief ExecutiveGulf Air
Stephen HolmesVice ChairmanCendant Corporation
Raimund HoschPresident & CEOMesse Berlin GmbH
Xabier de IralaChairman & CEOIberia, Airlines of Spain
Nuno Trigoso JordãoPresident & CEO Sonae Turismo Gestaoe Servicos
Sol KerznerChairman & CEOKerzner International Ltd
Nigel KnowlesManaging PartnerDLA
Krishna KumarVice ChairmanThe Taj Group of Hotels
Hans LerchPresident & CEOKuoni Travel Holding Ltd
Manuel MartinPartnerCyberDodo Productions Ltd
Wolfgang MayrhuberCEOLufthansa German Airlines
Paul McManusPresident & CEOThe Leading Hotels ofthe World
David MongeauVice PresidentCIBC World Markets
Alan MulallyExecutive Vice PresidentThe Boeing Company
John M NoelPresident & CEOThe Noel Group
Tom NutleyChairmanReed Travel Exhibitions
Alan ParkerManaging DirectorWhitbread Hotel Company
Jean Gabriel PérèsPresident & CEOMövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Dionísio PestanaChairmanGroup Pestana
Stefan PichlerChairman & CEOThomas Cook AG
Fernando PintoCEOTAP Air Portugal
Wolfgang Prock-SchauerChief Executive OfficerJet Airways
David RadcliffeChief ExecutiveHogg Robinson plc
Kurt RitterPresident & CEORezidor SAS Hospitality
Peter RogersPresident & CEODiners Club International
Carl RudermanChairmanUniversal Media
Bruno SchöpferChairman of the BoardMövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Robert SelanderPresident & CEOMasterCard International
Per SetterbergCEOGlobal Refund Group
Barry SternlichtChairman & CEOStarwood Hotels & ResortsWorldwide, Inc
Ron StringfellowExecutive ChairmanSouthern Sun Group
Lalit SuriChairman & Managing DirectorBharat Hotels Ltd
Ian SwainChairman & CEOSwain Travel Services Inc
Kathleen TaylorPresidentWorldwide Business OperationsFour Seasons Hotels and Resorts
José Antonio TazónPresident & CEOAmadeus Global TravelDistribution
Jeffrey TofflerChairmanCoventry Partners
Mustafa TürkmenCEO & Managing DirectorEnternasyonal TourismInvestments, Inc
Patrice VinetPartnerAccenture
Daniela WagnerManaging Director, InternationalOctopustravel.com
Peter YesawichManaging PartnerYesawich, Pepperdine, Brown &Russell
HONORARY MEMBERS:
Lord Marshall of KnightsbridgeChairmanBritish Airways plc
Sir Frank Moore, AOChairmanTaylor Byrne Tourism Group
Frank OlsonChairman of the BoardThe Hertz Corporation
Gérard PélissonCo-Chairman, Supervisory BoardAccor SA
Tommaso ZanzottoPresidentTZ Associates Ltd
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS:
James D Robinson IIIGeneral PartnerRRE Ventures
IMMEDIATE PAST
CHAIRMEN:
Harvey GolubRetired Chairman & CEOAmerican Express CoWTTC Chairman (1996 – 2001)
Robert H BurnsChairmanRobert H Burns Holdings LimitedWTTC Chairman (1994 – 1996)
PRESIDENT:
Jean-Claude Baumgarten
As at October 2003
Introduction President’s Foreword
WHILST THE WTTC INDIA INITIATIVE HAS EVOLVEDENORMOUSLY SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN FEBRUARY2000, OUR PRINCIPAL GOAL REMAINS UNCHANGED –TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE CRUCIAL ROLE THATTRAVEL & TOURISM PLAYS IN THE INDIAN ECONOMY.
The WTTC India Retreat has proved to be a successful vehicle forcommunicating this message and I am grateful to the participants ofthe first three Retreats for making this possible. There is no doubtthat the success of these events is due to the commitment of thedelegates who, not only agree to spend a weekend locked in debate,but also play a crucial role in unraveling what needs to change inorder for Travel & Tourism to flourish in India.
Readers of this report will not besurprised to learn that our decision to holdthe third Retreat in the State of Jammu &Kashmir was not one that was taken lightly.Security issues were discussed at length anda number of our guests had strongreservations.
However, I think I speak for everybodyinvolved when I say that, once there, we wereall convinced that this was an extremely aptand pertinent location for discussing theeconomic importance of Travel & Tourism.After all, the State of Jammu & Kashmir wasformerly one of India’s most popular tourismdestinations and yet currently tourists are fewand far between. Mr Omar Abdullah,President of the National Congress andkeynote speaker at this Retreat explained tous that everything had changed extremelyrapidly. People who had previously relied onTravel & Tourism suddenly found that theyhad no income and handicrafts that had beensold in abundance within Jammu & Kashmir,became items for export.
This was how the people of this beautifulState came to realise the extent to which they
had relied on Travel & Tourism for theirlivelihood.
So what better place than Srinagar forrecognising the economic and job-creatingimportance of Travel & Tourism?
I am extremely grateful to the ChiefMinister of Jammu & Kashmir, MuftiMohammad Sayeed, who acted as the Patronof this Retreat and whose support was asource of enormous encouragement.
Moving onto the business agenda of theRetreat, I am delighted to highlight tworecent steps which were the direct result ofour discussions in Srinagar:1. The decision to release a WTTC WhitePaper on Civil Aviation.2. The decision to make the State of Jammu& Kashmir a WTTC Partner State.
I hope that these steps and therecommendations offered in this reportdemonstrate our commitment to Travel &Tourism. It is our firm belief that thisindustry can provide an important tool fortackling some of the economic, social andenvironmental challenges facing India today.
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SECTION 1
JEAN-CLAUDE BAUMGARTEN
President
World Travel & Tourism Council
The WTTC India Initiative:The Members
Mr Vikram Madhok*Abercrombie & Kent
Mr Sunder G AdvaniAdvani Hotels & Resorts (India) Ltd
Mr Ankur Bhatia*Amadeus India Pvt Ltd
Mr K L Muralidhara*American Express
Mr Harsh NeotiaAmbuja Cement Eastern Ltd
Mr Shiv Kumar JatiaAsian Hotels Ltd
Mr K Roy PaulAir India
Mr Lalit Suri*The Grand Group of Hotels
Mr Maurice Flanagan*Emirates
Maharana Arvind Singh MewarHistoric Resort Hotels Ltd
Mr Vivek NairHotel Leelaventure Ltd
Mr Sunil AroraIndian Airlines
Mr Nakul AnandITC Hotels
Mr Naresh GoyalJet Airways
Maharaja Gaj Singh of JodhpurMaharaja Heritage Resorts
Mr P R S Oberoi*The Oberoi Group
Ms Priya PaulThe Park Hotels
Mr Uttam Kumar BoseSahara Airlines India
Mr Arjun SharmaSelect Holiday Resorts
Mr Himmat AnandSita World Travel
Mr Chandan Kashikar*Six Continents Hotels
Mr R K Krishna Kumar*The Taj Group
Mr Adi J KatgaraTravel Corporation India Pvt Ltd
Mr Ashwini Kakkar*Thomas Cook (India) Ltd
THE WTTC INDIA INITIATIVE IS BACKED BY TWENTY-THREE KEYPLAYERS FROM SOME OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL TRAVEL & TOURISMCOMPANIES IN THE WORLD.
In joining this Initiative each Member has made a personal commitment to worktowards overcoming the barriers to tourism growth in India, irrespective of their individualbusiness needs.
It is our belief that through coming together and speaking with one voice, we are betterpositioned to advance the cause of Travel & Tourism in India.
The Srinagar Retreat
SECTION 2
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The Members of the WTTC India Initiative are:
* Also Global Members
PROGRAMME
DAY 1 - FRIDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2003
12.35 Participants arrive at Srinagar Airport on Flight 9W 603
13.15 Participants check-in at InterContinental The Grand Palace,Srinagar
13.30-15.00 Buffet LunchHosted by Mr Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, WTTC
15.00-17.30 Leisure time for Shikara ride or walk by the Dal Lake
17.30 Participants assemble for Tea in Chinar Bagh
18.00 Inaugural Session commences in Durbar Hall
IntroductionMr Yogesh Chandra, Secretary General, WTTC India Initiative
Welcome AddressMr Lalit Suri, Chairman & Managing Director, The Grand Group of Hotels
Presidential AddressMr Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, World Travel & Tourism Council
Address by Chief Guest - The Chief Minister of Jammu & KashmirMufti Mohammad Sayeed
Inaugural AddressDr Karan Singh, Member of Parliament
Presentation by Department of TourismGovernment of Jammu & Kashmir
20.30 Cocktails and DinnerHosted by Mr M Y Khan, Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Bank
DAY 2 - SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2003
07.30-09.30 Breakfast at Chinar Café
09.45-10.00 Delegates assemble in Durbar Hall
10.00-10.05 Opening Remarks on the Retreat AgendaMr Yogesh Chandra, Secretary General, WTTC India Initiative
10.05-10.30 Presentation - Progress Through Partnership Amongst PeopleMr Suhel Seth, CEO, Equus Red Cell Advertising
10.30-11.00 The Impact of Tourism on the State EconomiesMr Jairam Ramesh, Secretary, All India Congress Committee
11.00-11.30 The Marketing of TourismMr Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary Tourism and CMD, ITDC
11.30-12.00 Tourism and Jammu & KashmirMr Omar Abdullah, President, National Conference
12.00-13.30 Reflections on morning Session - Questions and AnswersAnchored by Mr Suhel Seth, CEO, Equus Red Cell Advertising
13.30-14.30 Luncheon at Chinar BaghHosted by Mr Suhel Seth, CEO, Equus Red Cell Advertising
14.30-16.00 Break-out sessions to cover the following topics:1. Aviation/Taxation2. Marketing of tourism3. How tourism impacts the state economies4. Infrastructure (particularly roads and railways)5. Development of Gateways (airports, ports and marinas)
16.00-18.00 Working Group Presentations to be followed by open debateAnchored by Mr Suhel Seth, CEO, Equus Red Cell Advertising
18.00-18.30 Valedictory AddressMr N K Singh, Member, Planning Commission
18.30-18.45 Closing of RetreatMr Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, World Travel & Tourism Council
20.30 Cocktails and Theme Dinner (Black and White)Hosted by Mr Lalit Suri, Chairman & Managing Director,The Grand Group of Hotels
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MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Mr Ashwani Kumarand Mrs Madhu Kumar
Begum Noor Bano
Mr Dineshbhai Trivediand Mrs Minal Trivedi
Dr Karan Singhand Mrs Yasho Rajya Lakshmi
Mr Prithviraj Chavanand Mrs Satya Sheela Chavan
Mrs Renuka Chowdhuryand Ms Poojita Chowdhury
Mr Saleem Iqbal Shervani
MEDIA
Ms Bachi KarkariaResident EditorThe Times of India
Mr Chandan Mitraand Mrs Shobori GangulyEditor-in-ChiefThe Pioneer
Mr Karan ThaparPresidentInfotainment Television
Mrs Naazneen KarmaliAnd Mr Aquil KarmaliConsultant EditorThe Business India Group
Mr Rabindra SethFreelance Journalist
Mr Rohit BansalResident EditorFinancial Express
Dr Sanjay Baruand Mrs Rama BaruChief EditorFinancial Express
Ms Tavleen SinghColumnist
GOVERNMENT
Mr N K Singhand Mrs Prem KumariMemberPlanning Commission
General S K SinhaGovernorJammu & Kashmir
Mr Sudhir S BloeriaChief SecretaryJammu & Kashmir
Mr Ghulam Ahmad MirMinister of TourismJammu & Kashmir
Mufti Mohammad SayeedChief MinisterJammu & Kashmir
Mr V Subramanianand Mrs SubramanianAdditional SecretaryMinistry of Civil Aviation
Mr Amitabh Kantand Mrs Ranjeeta KantJoint SecretaryMinistry of Tourism
WTTC MEMBERS
Mr Sanjeev TalwarRegional DirectorAir India
Mr Lalit Suriand Mrs Jyotsna SuriChairman & Managing DirectorThe Grand Group of Hotels
Maharana Arvind Singh MewarChairmanHistoric Resort Hotels
Princess Padmaja Kumari MewarHistoric Resort Hotels
Ms Anjana MaheshwariGeneral ManagerIndian Airlines
Major S S H RehmanDirectorITC Limited
Mr Nakul AnandManaging DirectorITC Hotels
Ms Nandini VermaVice PresidentCorporate Affairs & Public RelationsJet Airways
Mr Saroj DattaExecutive DirectorJet Airways
Ms Ragini ChopraVice PresidentBusiness Development& Corporate CommunicationsThe Oberoi Group
Mr Himmat AnandCEOSita World Travel
Mr Ajoy MisraSenior Vice PresidentSales & MarketingThe Taj Group of Hotels
Mr D K BeriVice PresidentBusiness & Corporate AffairsThe Taj Group of Hotels
Mr Ashwini KakkarCEO & Managing DirectorThomas Cook India Ltd
Mr Alok SharmaVice PresidentCorporate Strategy and CommercialSahara Airlines Ltd
PARTNER STATE
Mr Rajeeva SwarupCommissionerDepartment of TourismArt & CultureGovernment of Rajasthan
WTTC TEAM
Mr Jean-Claude BaumgartenPresident
Mr Yogesh ChandraSecretary General, WTTC India
Ms Marianne Thompson-HillDirector, Regional Programmes
CONSULTANT
Mr Suhel Seth
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The Delegates Conclusions and Recommendations
The Working Group
ChairmanMr Saroj Datta
RapporteursMr Alok Sharma
DelegatesMr S K MisraMr V SubramanianMs Anjana MaheshwariMr Sanjeev TalwarMr Chandan MitraMr Rohit BansalMr Prithviraj Chavan
RECOMMENDATIONS
The principal issue of concern forthis working group was theprice of travel. In that respect, thegroup made the followingrecommendations:
Aviation
� Civil Aviation should be treatedas an employment generatorand usnd as an ‘economicactivity engine’. Such anapproach would enable thecountry to exploit the direct andindirect economic benefits ofcivil aviation. The cost ofdomestic flights should belowered. Airlines shouldrecognise that while, loweringfares will inevitably lead to areduction in revenues from eachtraveller, this would quickly becounteracted by an increase inthe number of travellers. Thefinal result would benefiteverybody – the tourist, theairline, the hotelier, the taxidriver and the guide.
� WTTC would need to convincethe Ministry of Finance of thebenefits of cutting the cost oftravel. It was noted that theMinistries of Tourism, Civil
Aviation/Taxation
Aviation and all other relateddepartments were alreadyconvinced that this would be abeneficial step.
� Cost cutting should not beperceived to be a short-termsolution, but rather one thatwould benefit India in thelong-term.
Taxation
We should appeal for a lowering ofthe cost of:
� Aviation Turbine Fuel; and
� landing and navigation charges.
We should also highlight the need:
� For the elimination of InlandAir Travel tax.
� To review the Route DispersalGuidelines.
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Marketing of Tourism
The Working Group
ChairmanMr Nakul Anand
RapporteurMs Ragini Chopra
DelegatesMr Amitabh KantMrs Renuka ChowdhuryMs Padmaja KumariMs Tavleen SinghMr Karan Thapar
Conclusions and Recommendations
The Internal Challenge
� Once lured to India, it wasimportant that the brandlived-up to people’sexpectations.
� In order to do this, it wasnecessary to invest in anumber of factors includinginfrastructure, hygiene,airports and aviation.
� Industry leaders should worktogether in partnership with theGovernments.
� In order to gain supportfrom the Government - bothCentral and State – WTTCshould continue to raiseawareness of the importanceof Travel & Tourism as acreator of jobs and economicprosperity.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The working group looked at theproblem of marketing in terms ofboth the external message and theinternal challenge. They made thefollowing comments andrecommendations:
External Marketing ofIndia
With regards to the externalmarketing of India, the groupposed three questions:
1. How successful was theIncredible India Campaign?
2. What makes India a uniqueand distinctive destination?
3. How could India bedistinguished fromneighouring destinations?
As a result of their discussions, theyrecommended that it was necessaryto:
� Enhance awareness of India
as a tourism destination.
� Create an India brand thatstrongly attracts consumers.
� Members of Parliament whohad participated in the Retreatscould also raise awareness bothwith Central Government andin their States, as well as amongelected representatives andopinion makers.
� The media could address crucialeconomic and developmentissues through comments andarticles.
� Awareness programmes couldbe created for schools, collegesand discussion fora.
However, the group felt that thesegoals could not realistically bereached without a hugecommitment in terms of time andmoney. As a means of raisingmoney they made the followingsuggestions:
� A special tax of 1,000 Rupeescould be levied on theoutbound tourist. This waslikely to generate as much as450 Crores. This fund couldthen be used solely for thepurposes of an integratedcommunications strategy tobuild Brand India.
� The private sector could beallowed access to the Brand IndiaFund, currently managed by theMinistry of Commerce, and tothe Special India Investment Fund,created and managed by theMinistry of Finance.
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Tourism & the State Economies
The Working Group
ChairmanMaharana Arvind Singh Mewar
RapporteurMr Rajeeva Swarup
DelegatesMs Bachi KarkariaMr Himmat AnandMr Dineshbhai TrivediBegum Noor BanoMr D K Beri
Conclusions and Recommendations
3. By generating revenue.
4. By encouraging sustainabledevelopment.
5. By encouraging thedevelopment ofunderdeveloped regions.
6. By helping to establish animage and brand for the State.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This Working Group felt thatTourism was the only industry thatboosts every state economy. Theywere encouraged to note that mostof the State Governments werefully aware of this fact as well as ofthe other benefits of Travel &Tourism. Prior to making specificrecommendations, they identifiedsix ways in which Travel& Tourism benefited the States:
1. By generating employment:
� Tourism is one of the largest
generators of employment.
� It generates jobs for every age,gender and skill level.
� It provides opportunities forself-employment.
2. Through the ‘chain effect’:
� Tourism is an engine foreconomic growth.
� It benefits everybody, not justthe person who sells theholiday. Money spent by thetourist filters down from the topand typically thirteen peoplewill benefit. Examples includethe taxi driver, the guide, theman selling the camera film orthe postcards.
Hence, the recommendations ofthe group were that Travel &Tourism should:
� Be universally accepted on theGovernment agenda fordevelopment.
� Be made an integral part ofpublic policy, with acomprehensive Master Plan.
� Have commensurate budgetaryallocations.
� Sensitise all stakeholders.
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Infrastructure
The Working Group
ChairmanMr N K Singh
RapporteurMs Nandini Verma
DelegatesMr Ashwani KumarMs Naazneen KarmaliMr Satish JacobMr Lalit SuriDr Sanjay Baru
Conclusions and Recommendations
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The Working Group reviewed therecommendations that had beenmade at the Goa Retreat inFebruary 2003. It was found thatmany of these recommendationswere still valid and the followingassessment was made:
1. Civil Aviation
� It was noted withdisappointment that very littleprogress had been made in thissector.
� A forward looking CivilAviation Policy was requiredand should be announced asearly as possible.
� There was an urgent need toprivatise Delhi and Mumbaiairports.
� Greenfield airport projects inMetro cities should be made apriority and the 1998 cabinetdecision regarding airportprivatisation should beimplemented immediately.
� A regulatory framework wasrequired to provide a levelplaying field and to facilitate thedevelopment of the requisiteinfrastructure.
� Initiatives should be undertakenfor promoting an Open SkiesPolicy and to encourage healthycompetition in this sector.
� It was noted that airports arewindows into a country, stateand city. Indian airports shouldtherefore be refurbished toglobal standards and providetravellers with a highly efficientservice.
2. Railways
The recommendations made atthe Goa Retreat were still valid,namely that:
� There should be an increase intourist trains.
� The Government shouldconsider the possibility ofallowing the private sector tooperate on certain routes.
� Infrastructure should beimproved.
� Entertainment and luxuryservices should be introducedsuch as catering, ayurvedictreatment and massage.
� Overseas tour operators andtravel agents should have accessto the railway reservationsystem and have globalconnectivity for on-linebookings.
In addition, it was necessary:
� To focus on efficiency, reliabilityof schedules, safety and hygiene.
� To expand facilities at stationsfor waiting and strandedpassengers.
These recommendations wereconsidered critical, especiallybearing in mind that 1.4 Crorepassengers travel on trains in Indiaevery day.
3. Roads
The Goa Recommendationsneeded to be brought into focusagain as follows:
� Prioritise six or seven importanttourist areas for intensiveinfrastructure development.Government/private sectorinvestment should beconcentrated in these areas untilinfrastructure reachesinternational standards.
� A percentage of the nationalearnings from tourism shouldbe set aside for infrastructureimprovement.
In addition, issues relating tolong-term operations and themaintenance of roads should becarefully considered and financialengineering options should besuitably explored.
4. Urban Sector
� It was felt that this sectorneeded to be included underInfrastructure.
� Drainage, sewage, sanitation andwater were of particular concernand it was recommended thatthese issues should beaddressed urgently.
In conclusion, this Working Groupreminded delegates that Mr N KSingh, Chairman of the PlanningCommission, had informed thedelegates of an earlier Retreat thata fund existed specifically fortourism development. This fundhad been mentioned by the PrimeMinister, during his IndependenceDay address from the Red Fort.
It was noted that the Five Year Planfor the Tourism DevelopmentFund had an allocation of 3,000Crores for the development andpromotion of tourism. This was anopportunity to ensure that thisfund was adequately spent.
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The Developmentof Gateways
The Working Group
ChairmanMajor S S H Rehman
RapporteurMr Ajoy Misra
DelegatesMr G S DharMr Karan ThaparMr Yogesh ChandraMr Rabindra Seth
Conclusions and Recommendations
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RECOMMENDATIONS
This Working Group made thefollowing recommendations:
� We should choose quality overquanitity, and start bydeveloping a few of thegateways to internationalstandards, eg:
- A category airports – Delhiand Bombay. These should bebenchmarked against the bestinternational airports such asSingapore and Hong Kong.
- B category airports – Theseshould be benchmarked againstother international airports.
- Hub/spoke configuration -eg at places like Jaipur,Aurangabad, etc.
� We should develop New Delhias the International transit hubfor Asia.
� Other alternative gatewaysshould also be developed.
SeaCurrently all our ports are gearedessentially for cargo. We need todevelop port handling facilities forcruise ships.
- East – Chennai
- West – Mumbai
- South – Cochin
Road
- Roadlink to China?
- Roadlink through Pakistan?
- Asian roadlink through NorthEast to Myanmar, Thailand andVietnam.
Rail
- Rail-link through Pakistan?
- Asian roadlink through NorthEast?
- General upgradation of existingkey rail terminus.
- Energising rail tourism throughsurplus land development,special rail tourism circuits andprivate sector participation inrailway station management.
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Glimpses
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The Group Photograph
Sitting (from left): Tavleen Singh, Chandan Mitra (MP), Karan Thapar, Suhel Seth, Meenakshi Singh, Jyotsna SuriRenuka Chowdhury (MP), Vandana Chandra, Begum Noor Bano (MP), Mrs Ashwani Kumar, Anjana MaheshwariMrs V Subramanian
Sitting 2nd Row (from left): Satya Sheela Chavan, Poojita Chowdhury, Naazneen Karmali, Bachi KarkariaN K Singh, Prithviraj Chavan (MP), V Subramanian, Dineshbhai Trivedi (MP), Ashwani Kumar (MP)Jean-Claude Baumgarten, Lalit Suri (MP), Amitabh Kant, Ragini Chopra, Dr Sanjay Baru, Rabindra Seth
3rd Row (from left): Major S S H Rehman, Aquil Karmali, Saroj Datta, Alok Sharma, D K Beri, Nakul AnandAjoy Misra, M Ashraf, Himmat Anand, Rajeeva Swarup, Satish Jacob, G S Dhar, Rohit BansalMarianne Thompson-Hill, Sanjeev Talwar, Yogesh Chandra
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The Next Step
SECTION 3
ON 7 SEPTEMBER 2003 THE WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL INDIAINITIATIVE DETERMINED THAT THE STATE OF JAMMU&KASHMIR WOULDBENEFIT FROM A PARTNERSHIP WITH WTTC. IN LINE WITH THISDECISION, THE DECLARATION BELOW WAS SIGNED BY THE WTTCPRESIDENT, JEAN-CLAUDE BAUMGARTEN AND PRESENTED TO MUFTIMOHAMMAD SAYEED, CHIEF MINISTER OF JAMMU & KASHMIR.
The signing of the Declaration affirms that WTTC is confident that despite the currentconflict in the State, Jammu & Kashmir continues to have enormous potential as a touristattraction. It is important to recognize that a resurge in Travel & Tourism would bringnew hope for the people and the economy.
WTTC IS GRATEFUL TO MR N K SINGH, MEMBER OFTHE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR AGREEING TOGIVE THE VALEDICTORY ADDRESS IN SRINAGAR.
Mr Singh was not only able to offer the wisdom that comes fromhis experience and position in Government but also, havingattended the two earlier Retreats, he was familiar with the work ofWTTC and therefore able to assess its progress.
In the summing up of his address,Mr N K Singh made the followingrecommendations.
• The industry should aim to
reposition India both externally and
internally. The ministry of Finance
India Investment Fund could be used
for this purpose.
• The private sector should provide
the government with a study of
the impact of taxation on the
Travel & Tourism industry. This
should include a comparison to
neighbouring destinations and an
analysis of the benefits of the
rollbacks affected recently.
• The hotel industry should request
a restructuring of the current debt
in line with the benefits introduced
for the textile industry.
• The Travel & Tourism industry
should maximize benefits from the
development of the Prime Minister’s
quadrilateral roads project.
• The private sector should push for
a reformed Civil Aviation Policy.
• The private sector should offer to
help the Ministry of Tourism to plan
how to best use their allocated
resources in the coming years.
MR N K SINGHMemberPlanning Commission of India
The WTTC India Initiativ
e recognises the value of
Travel & Tourism in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and
pledges its support to this cause by educating, promoting
and assisting Travel & Tourism to this State.
WTTC is pleased to invite the State of Jammu & Kashmir
to become a Partner State in the India Initiative.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten
President
World Travel & Tourism Council
7th September 2003
The Srinagar Declaration The Valedictory Remarks
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The Conclusion
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT INDIA IS RAPIDLYBECOMING A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE TRAVEL &TOURISM INDUSTRY, BOTH AS A KEY POTENTIALTOURISM DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS AND LEISURETRAVELLERS, AND AS A GENERATOR OF SUBSTANTIALNUMBERS OF TRAVELLERS TO OTHER DESTINATIONS.
At the end of our fourth year in India, WTTC remains convinced thatthe fastest and most effective way to move forward is to form apartnership between the private and public sectors. By workingtogether we are in a better position to deliver consistent results thatmatch the needs of economy, local authorities and communities withthose of business. The WTTC Retreat is now established as animportant forum for facilitating this as it brings together senior Membersof India’s Parliament and Government, leaders from the Indiantourism industry and key media from the region.
Gulmarg and Pehelgam as well as in otherparts of Jammu & Kashmir. Tourism providedthe entire valley with employment andincome. It was like a gift from God. And then,we began taking everything for granted. Andit all changed.”
It was this sentiment and the on-groundrealities facing the State which encouragedus to invite Jammu & Kashmir as the fourthWTTC Partner State. The signing of theSr inagar Declaration demonstrates thecommitment of WTTC India to helping thepeople of Jammu & Kashmir to repositiontheir region as a tourist attraction.
The next WTTC India Retreat will beheld in Kolkata from 13-15 February 2004and will focus on the issue of regionaltourism. We are delighted to announce thatthe Kolkata Retreat will be hosted byMr Nakul Anand, Managing Director,ITC Hotels at the ITC Sonar Bangla, Kolkata.We are confident that this next Retreat willg ive us the opportunity to further ourdiscussions and to tackle some of theoutstanding issues that continue to formbarriers to tourism development.
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YOGESH CHANDRA
Secretary General
World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative
The WTTC Retreat is recognized forpromoting the cause of Travel & Tourism andthe Srinagar Retreat was no exception. Heldin the beautiful but troubled State of Jammu& Kashmir, it quickly became apparent thatthis was the perfect setting for discussing theRetreat theme - The Impact of Travel &Tourism on the State Economies.
WTTC research shows that in 2003Travel & Tourism is expected to generate 3.7per cent of world GDP and 67,441,000 jobswhile the broader Travel & Tour ismEconomy is expected to total 10.2 per centof GDP and 194,562,000 jobs. In India aloneit is predicted to generate 2.0 per cent of GDPand 11,093,100 jobs, while the broader Travel& Tourism economy is expected to total 4.8per cent of GDP and 23, 839,800 jobs.
Certainly in Sr inagar the economicimpact of Travel & Tourism was clear fromthe speech of the keynote speaker, Mr OmarAbdullah who spoke of the devastatingimpact of the loss of tourism on the localeconomy “Once we were home to waveafter wave of visitors. Tourists came not justfor a few days or weeks but stayed for monthson end in houseboats and cottages in Srinagar
© 2003 WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL
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Yogesh ChandraSecretary General
Ritu ChatrathExecutive Assistant
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