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TAAI seeks export industry status for tourism sector
Added: (Tue Jun 23 2009)
Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the largest travel association in the country has requested the Government for exemption of service tax to travel agents for 5 years and grant export industry status to tourism sector. The exemption was sought by members of TAAI in a pre-budget memorandum submitted to the Finance Ministry.
TAAI gave credit to Ministry of Tourism¡¦¡§Incredible India¡¨ campaign for the rise in number of tourists to 5.37 million in 2008 compared to 5.08 million a year earlier. Tough tourism industry earned an impressive Rs 48,000 crores in foreign exchange; high taxes of up to 35% are hampering further growth in the sector.
Commenting on the pre-budget memorandum, Mr. Rajji Rai, President ¡V Travel Agents Association of India said, ``we have been requesting for grant of export industry status to the tourism industry in India for long and have also been requesting the Government to rationalize the high taxes that are imposed on the industry. We are also requesting the Ministry of Tourism to impress the State Governments to bring the luxury tax down to 5%.¡¦¡¦
Suggestions made by TAAI to Govt. in pre-budget memorandum
Export industry status to tourism sector
Exemption of service tax for 5 years
Revival of 80HHD of Income Tax Act
Reduction in taxation on ATF
Extension of inter-State vehicle taxation to pan-India
Increase in service tax abatement for the domestic / adventure tour operators
„X Scrapping of section 194-I of Income Tax Act
Reduction in State luxury tax
About Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI):
The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) was formed towards the end of the year 1951 by a group of twelve leading Travel agents, who felt the need to create an association to regulate the Travel industry in India. The primary purpose was to protect the interests of those engaged in the industry, to promote its orderly growth and development and to safeguard the rights of the traveling public. TAAI represents all that is professional, ethical and dynamic in our nation's Travel related activity and has been recognized as the voice of the Travel and Tourism industry in India.