When we met last, there still had some amount of uncertainties, but all of you had shown a lot of optimism. The heart is despondent, but not without hope. Long are the sorrow’s evenings, but it is an evening after all. Today as we meet, we have crossed that evening of sorrow and looking with confidence and resolve at the promise of a Morning Sun. We’d like to compliment, each one of you for making it possible.
HAI conclave is not a one-off event. It’s a landmark in the continuous journey of introspection of togetherness. We look forward to a day of intense discussions and sharing of ideas, experiences, and innovations.
Let me very briefly share some of the hopes and expectations and our wish list, that the goodwill and the strong support and enormous reach of Mr Kant, will help in their fulfilment. We hope that the honorable Prime Minister’s recognition of tourism as a pillar of development and the finance minister’s policy announcement to make that happen in the mission mode will be quickly given a concrete shape and tourism and hospitality will get its due in economic planning of the country.
We expect that the government’s clear strategy to make PPP, the foundation of development will lead to the formation of the long talk about national tourism authority, where hospitality industry will be a very effective partner. We hope that the industry which provides so much of employment and propels inclusive growth, which is composed of about 80% of small and medium enterprises, which played such a key humanitarian role during the pandemic, will be spared the elitist tag. Our wish list is very short and clear.
Infrastructure status and industry status, both are totally logical, imminently justified and essential for making the goal of a hundred million foreign tourist arrivals and $1 trillion tourism economy achievable.
And our commitment to dedicate ourselves to be at the forefront of the essence of the Amritkal Journey towards a new Bharat with unwavering commitment to the people and the planet.
We expect that the government’s clear strategy to make PPP, the foundation of development will lead to the formation of the long talk about national tourism authority, where hospitality industry will be a very effective partner. Infrastructure status and industry status, both are totally logical, imminently justified.
