Budget Expectation 2024: Madhavan Menon, Executive Chairman, Thomas Cook India Ltd.

16 Jan 2024 , 02:36 AM

The Travel & Tourism sector represents a vital economic driver: With a 5.8% contribution to India’s GDP (2022) and the government’s target of achieving $1 trillion by 2047, the sector forms a strong force multiplier – across allied sec​tors, employment generation and foreign exchange receipts. Our expectations from the Union Budget include key pivots to transform India into a destination of choice:

– Infrastructural Focus: As a key fundamental for the​ sector, setting up of new airports via private participation must become a priority – thus creating a viable hub & spoke model; also rapid expansion in rail, road and waterways (sea and river cruises). Additionally, infrastructure development for high growth areas like religious circuits and underleveraged hidden gems (Lakshadweep).

– Inbound Tourism: revival of the Inbound incentive scheme – but for select destinations.
1. Tax:
– Reduced Income tax levels to provide increased disposable income in the hands of the people – a boost for travel & tourism spends
– LTA exemption annually, against twice in 4 years to catalyse domestic tourism
– Standardisation of TCS at 5% on foreign travel packages (against the current 5% and 20% slabs).
– Clarity wrt TCS on Forex card payments
 
2. GST is a key area and our wish list for Budget 2024-25 includes:
– Allow GST input credit facility for inbound and domestic tourism
– Centralise similar issues faced by a single assessee in multiple states – reducing unwarranted time, efforts and litigations in multiple jurisdictions
– Simplify the compliance mechanism in filing reports, reconciliations, audits.