Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Jul 23, 2007
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Jul 23, 2007 ePaper |
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Tourism Government - Policy Industry & Economy - Taxation Inbound travel set to turn cheaper with service tax relief
Ms Ambika Soni
Our Bureau New Delhi, July 22 Travelling to India could become not only a bit cheaper but also a lot easier. The Government’s recent decision to levy service tax on only 25 per cent of international tourist packages instead of the existing 40 per cent could make such packages cheaper. “The decision was taken a few days back. It was not easy to convince the Finance Ministry. But they have finally agreed to increase the abatement to 75 per cent although the industry was keen that it be increased to 90 per cent,” the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Ms Ambika Soni said while inaugurating a travel and tourism conference on ‘Managing Growth’ organised by the World Travel and Tourism Council, India Initiative. The domestic industry has been seeking to get the abatement level raised since 2005. The decision needs to be notified by the Finance Ministry before it can come into effect. It is expected to reduce tour prices by about 1.5 per cent, the Managing Director, Le Passage to India, Mr Arjun Sharma said. The Government plans to start issue of visa-on-arrival at Delhi and Mumbai airports. “I have got an assurance, which though not written is as good as it gets. When the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports is completed the visa-on-arrival programme would be started on a trial basis. There is no problem in implementing the decision as Advance Passenger Information System is available now and unwanted people can be screened before they leave their country,” Ms Soni said.
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