Bajeti yabwino kwambiri mpaka pano yamakampani oyendayenda, atero Purezidenti wa IATO

An e visa and long-awaited travel proposals have professionals in the country feeling upbeat about the future of tourism.

The Indian travel industry has welcomed the budget proposals made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on July 10.

Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group, said that focus on aviation in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities and the abolition of a service tax for tour operators were positive steps, sure to benefit travel and tourism.

Tour packages to India will now become competitive, Bhatia said, adding that the budget has addressed some of the long-pending demands of the industry.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) President Subhash Goyal called the budget the “best so far ever in India for the travel industry.”

Among the proposals which will boost tourism are a convention center in Goa, Gaya being developed as an international Buddhist destination, and an increase in rail capacity to the northeast.

The Travel Agents Association of India has also welcomed the budget.

Goyal, President of IATO, said that with the e visa, tourism will gown 30 percent and more jobs and foreign exchange will be generated.