Look South Southern Zonal Tourism Council Announced

The setting up of the Southern Zonal Tourism Council (SZTC) comprising the States of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry was announced by Mr. Chiranjeevi, Union Tourism Minister.

The Minister in his interaction with the office bearers of World Travel & Tourism Council- India Initiative (WTTCII) welcomed the idea that emanated from the WTTCII Bekal Retreat held in September this year. “The setting up of the Southern Zonal Tourism Council will help facilitate development of Tourism and tourism products of Southern India in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Development of Integrated Tourism Circuits among the Southern states will be the way forward. The issues of competitive taxation of tourism products, inter-state taxation, seamless tourist movement by facilitating smooth facilitation at entry and exit points of the States will be addressed by the council.” Mr. Chiranjeevi said.

The Ministry will be writing to the Chief Secretaries of the States, who would Chair the SZTC by rotation. Tourism Secretary and Finance Secretary of the respective states will be permanent invitees to the SZTC. The SZTC will also interact with the Stakeholder to understand the concerns and issues facing the tourism industry. The SZTC will have a mandate to look at the inter-State taxation on tourist vehicles, interstate permits, smooth facilitation at the entry and exit points of the States, development of requisite infrastructure to and at destinations.

Welcoming the move WTTCII in a statement said that this is an excellent step in the direction of a coordinated and planned approach to develop tourism in South India. This move will enhance the necessary infrastructure, policy and other interventions needed to take Tourism to the next level in this region.

Light at the end of the tunnel

For customers booking flights, value for money matters most when it comes to choosing a particular airline. This was the answer given by 70 per cent of the CEO Management Panel of ITB Berlin, in a recent survey of exhibitors and business partners carried out by the market research company Trendscope and ITB Berlin. For 63 per cent of those polled the second most important factors when choosing an airline were the departure airport and choice of flight times. 37 per cent customers said they only booked flights with a certain airline. For 24 per cent it was important that the airline operated modern aircraft. Customer loyalty to home carriers played an insignificant role. According to the survey nine per cent preferred to book flights with “their” national airline. Only four cent were willing to forfeit value for money.

Dr. Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin opined that “Worldwide, airlines are competing with each other in a hotly contested market. Customers reward airlines that offer transparent services and good value for money with their loyalty because they feel they are being treated well. If a national carrier is unable to fulfil those demands then it loses its emotional bond with the customer.”

The advantages of a frequent flyer programme were also among the reasons for choosing a particular airline. According to the survey this mattered to 42 per cent. 36 per cent were divided over whether frequent flyer programmes were important, while 22 per cent said they did not influence their booking choice. Asked which continents and regions operated the world’s best airlines, the CEO Management Panel of ITB Berlin revealed a clear trend that also reflects global market developments. Among those decision-makers polled, the most popular airlines were from Asia including the Arab countries followed by Europe. The least rated airlines were from North America, Australia, South America and Africa.

The aviation industry in India is bleeding like anything. The fate of King Fisher is still in the air and Paramount Airways already faded out from the scene. National carrier is surviving only due to government support. The other private carriers are trying their level best to survive. Still overall situation is not at all favour for further investment. But recent decision on FDI in aviations shows some light at the end of the tunnel. Etihad and Air Asia are already confirmed their talk with Jet Airways and Videocon group respectively to enter the Indian skies. Hope this year will bring more happy and prosperous news to everyone. Have a Great 2013.