Date:06/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/06/stories/2006010601260700.htm

Back `Give priority to tourism in Budget'

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Jan. 5

THE Indo-American Chamber of Commerce has asked the Government to include tourism in the priority list and tourism sector be allotted Rs 2,000 crore in the coming Budget.

In its pre-Budget memorandum, the chamber has said that mapping of the tourist spots and implementing projects that suit each destination to realise the potential is essential.

For the tourism sector to grow rapidly, the chamber said the sector should be brought on to the Central List.

The sector has suffered because there has been no pan-India approach to develop tourism since it has been a State subject, said the chamber.

The chamber has further said that there should be proper air-rail-road coordination to improve tourism at various places in the country.

The chamber has also pitched for reduction in domestic airfares by reducing Central and state taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

The Union Government should declare ATF as `goods' so that uniform four per cent tax is levied on it, said the chamber.