Event that changed India forever:Terroism on tourism

This season has been wiped out. The situation we are facing is unprecedented. Already reeling under the economic slowdown, the incidents in Mumbai have seen more cancellations than ever before. There is an approximately 50% slowdown in the sector. Though with the help of the Ministry of Tourism, we are trying to get some groups reinstated, but I estimate that the overall loss will be about 30%.

For the tourism sector, hotels are the most important component. And if bookings are down there, then the whole sector is affected. The hotel industry should reduce tariff by 20-25 per cent and focus on domestic tourism to survive.

To revive the situation, along with the minister, we are trying out some innovative steps. One of the steps we have suggested is 'Buy One Get One Free,' which was something Sri Lanka tried out after 9/11. We have to get aggressively into marketing. We are also requesting the government to make some concessions - which includes a two year relief from service tax and luxury tax. While the tour operators have been asking for the tax holiday on service tax, the hotels want the luxury tax to be waived for a while.

There are silver linings too. The industry has stood solidly together and we should be able to do things together. There is no significant drop either for the business travelers in India or China, nor is there any effect on VFR, or Visiting Friends and relatives category, but the other categories are hurting.

India will weed out terrorism from Pakistan if global efforts fail

India's Home minster PC in Puducherry conveyed following info to world with respect to Current situation in INDIA.
"The Mumbai terror attacks have awakened the world and international community is using its good offices to prevail on Pakistan to tread the right path. We hope these efforts succeed.

"If not, India is prepared to face the attacks from Pakistan squarely with the help of the people," he said addressing the students and faculty of Pondicherry University here.

The minister said everyone knew from where the terror attacks emanated and the cross border terrorism from Pakistan had been targeting India continuously for some years now. It cannot be denied that there were also supporters within India for such activities, he said.

"As far as India is concerned we are looking at Pakistan as friendly nation as there is no need for any enmity particularly when both the countries have third generation of people after their independence," he said.