TTAG provides suggestions for
new charter policy to central govt
Byline: The Goan Network
Travel & Tour Association of Goa (TTAG) has approached the central government to give suggestions to incorporate in the new charter policy to make life easier for foreign tourists who arrive in India every year through charter flights in large numbers.
As per the current scheme of things, if a tourist comes to India on a certain charter flight, he or she has to return on the same charter flight, which limits their options.
Francisco Braganca, president, TTAG, said, “Yes, we have approached the central government. We have given them suggestions for new charter policy like tourists should be allowed to return back through any flight or any other mode of transportation. The new charter policy is in the process of being vetted by civil aviation ministry and the home ministry is yet to clear to it.”
These suggestions, as and when implemented, will have a huge positive impact on the tourism sector in Goa as tourists arrive here through charter flights in significant numbers. In earlier years, Goa was getting around 1,100 charter flights every season, which shows that liberalisation of charter policy will make things better for tourism industry.
Of these 1,100 charter flights, 700 were from Russia. Liberalising charter policy will help bringing more tourists from Russia. Most foreign tourists who reach Goa through a charter flight typically travel all across India. But, in the current charter regime, they have to take the charter flight of the same operator from Goa, which reduces flexibility. If they are allowed to return back through any mode, then they will be able to take flight back from any part of India.
TTAG has given other suggestions too. “We have even suggested that there should be provision for incentives for tour operators who bring charter tourists,” Braganca disclosed.
