Consultation Paper on Tourism Policy - 2016
Transcription
Consultation Paper on Tourism Policy - 2016
CONSULTATION PAPER Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3 2 Strategies for the growth of Tourism Sector in Maharashtra ......................................................... 3 2.1 Vision Mission Objectives Targets- Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015 .................................. 3 2.2 Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015 - Key Strategic Highlights ................................................. 3 3 Highlights on the key action plan for growth of tourism in Maharashtra ...................................... 4 4 Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015 – Key Definitions and classifications ........................................ 7 5 6 7 4.1 Tourism Zone Classification .................................................................................................... 7 4.2 Eligible Units............................................................................................................................ 7 4.3 Fixed Capital Investment......................................................................................................... 7 4.4 Employment ............................................................................................................................ 7 4.5 Mega/ Ultra Mega Project Classification ................................................................................ 8 4.6 Large and MSME Project Classification ................................................................................... 8 Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015 – Fiscal incentives .................................................................... 8 5.1 Fiscal incentives for Mega/ Ultra Mega Projects .................................................................... 8 5.2 Fiscal incentives for Large Projects ....................................................................................... 10 5.3 Fiscal incentives for MSME projects ..................................................................................... 10 5.4 Benefit for some particular cases under Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2006 policy ............. 10 Special incentives for the key strategic interventions in Maharashtra ........................................ 10 6.1 Additional incentives for Sustainable tourism units ............................................................. 10 6.2 Additional incentives for MICE units..................................................................................... 10 6.3 Additional incentives for women .......................................................................................... 10 6.4 Additional incentives for skill development programmes .................................................... 11 6.5 Additional Incentives for Film/Television/Documentaries shot in Maharashtra ................. 11 Annexure – Proposed Event Calender .......................................................................................... 12 1 Introduction Tourism has become one of the major sectors in international commerce, and represents, at the same time, one of the main income sources for many developing countries, contributing 9% of the world GDP – through direct, indirect and induced impact and accounts for USD 1.6 trillion of world exports (6% of the world exports). Maharashtra is the leader in the country with respect to foreign tourist arrivals (20.8%) to India and one of the leading states for domestic tourist visits (7.2%). 2 Strategies for the growth of Tourism Sector in Maharashtra 2.1 Vision Mission Objectives Tar gets - Maharashtra Tourism Policy 201 5 Vision Mission Develop Maharashtra as a popular and sustainable tourist destination; promotion of vast experiences on global, regional, and local best practices and standards; and provide an inclusive opportunity and access to all socio-economic demographics Promote the state as Numero Uno tourist destination Develop tourism infrastructure Facilitate investments in the tourism sector Objectives Targets 2.2 Promote Private Investments in tourism sector Accelerate projects through PPP mode Investment outreach to global investor community in tourism Creation of tourism infrastructure development Develop innovative practices for marketing and promotions Develop tourist destinations and avenues Adapt a sustainable approach to tourism development Maharashtra - leading tourist destination in the world by 2025 Attract investments to the tune of INR 30,000 crore Create 1 million additional jobs in tourism sector Double the number of tourism projects in 5 years, triple in 10 years Double the tourist receipts in 5 years, triple in 10 years 1 million skilled and semi-skilled resources in the tourism sector Maharashtr a Tourism Policy 2015 - Key Strategic Highlights Sector growth of 10% p.a and share of 15% in GSDP Achieve sectorial growth of 10% p.a and share of 15% in GSDP by encouraging Mega Project investments especially in less developed tourism zones, making land available for tourism development, improving tourism infrastructure throughout the state by investor facilitation and ease of doing business. Strategy for creating 1 million jobs Develop a strategy for creating 1 million jobs by increased focus on MSME tourism units, offering additional incentives to employmentintensive Mega units, and create a conducive environment for tourism by boosting employment opportunities in the state. Development of Special Tourism Districts/Zones Nagpur, Aurangabad, Sindhudurg will be marked as Special tourism districts. Other special areas will be marked as special tourism zones Development Tourism corridors 3 of growth Tourism growth corridors will be earmarked across the state and the state will be further classified into separate tourist cities, tourist clusters and tourist corridors which will be promoted through identified themes. Institutional & Governance Mechanism The steering committee under the chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Minister to approve the tourism strategy for the state; a High Powered committee under the Hon. Chief Sectary for the approval of the Mega Projects and for the implementation of the strategy . A District Tourism Promotion Committee (DTPC) to be formed. Single Window Clearance for the Hospitality industry and live events in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Tourism Investor Facilitation Cell for facilitating investments in tourism sector in Maharashtra will be constituted. Events and Exhibitions Board will be created to facilitate events and promote MICE in the state. Public Private Partnership Model for growth in Tourism Sector A Transaction Advisory Cell will be established which will provide advisory services for private sector participation in the developmental projects carried out across the state of Maharashtra. The Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra will also launch a Public Private Partnership Transaction Advisory Cell which Identify and develop shelf of projects and undertake these projects through the PPP/JV mode. Skill Development Boost Skill Development in tourism sector in Maharashtra by developing world class institutes, and providing training and certification to guides, hospitality staff, and other tourism service providers Special focus on the youth, the women and the differently abled Set up institute of Travel and Culture university Highlights on the key action plan for growth of tourism in Maharashtra Major strategic interventions covered under the Policy Sustainable Tourism Rural and Agri Tourism Caravan Tourism MICE (Meetings, Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions) Film and Media tourism Tourism Police Smart Ticketing System Theme based tourism Explanation All tourism activities of whatever motivation – holidays, business travel, conferences, adventure travel and ecotourism etc. – need to be sustainable. Special focus to utilize the rural landscape of (55% of total area) as an opportunity for rural tourism. For e.g. Wine tourism (Nashik), Mango tourism (Ratnagiri), Orange (Nagpur) etc. Invitation to private players in the form of PPP/JV mode to develop caravan tourism parks Develop suitable infrastructure - combination of accommodation and other conference support facilities to hold a successful meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions Extend marketing support to promote the state in global film festivals as well as provide simplification of procedures to obtain approvals for shooting in the state; Facilitate art villages by bringing in media and entertainment talent under one hub Create a tourist friendly police force to a pre-empt and avert any form of crime in tourism related activities in the state A seamless travel ticket to major tourist destinations, hotel stays, air and surface travel within Maharashtra. In order to provide the tourists with an array of touristic experience, the Religious Tourism Heritage Tourism Beach Tourism Fort Circuits Coastal/ Yacht Tourism Culinary Tourism Nature Tourism Department of Tourism will identify various themes which can be distinctly tagged with the regions in the state. Some of the themes identified are and elaborated in the subsequent rows Special pilgrim circuits such as Buddh circuit, Jyotirlingas, the Ashta Vinayaks etc. will be promoted through various marketing efforts and tour operators. Maintaining sanctity and cleanliness at the place of pilgrimage can be outsourced to third party vendors who specialize in such activities All UNESCO world heritage sites, will be promoted through dedicated marketing channels,whichwillinclude‘Roadshows’inselectcountries.Allthemonuments under Archeological Survey of India, State Archeological Department, Heritage buildings of Mumbai, etc. will be part of the heritage tourism circuit of the state The DoT will prepare a comprehensive list of restricted and permitted activities for beaches along the Maharashtra coast line. Some of the activities such as maintaining sanctity and cleanliness at the place of beaches may be outsourced to third party vendors who specialize in such activities. The MTDC will give special licenses to eco-friendly temporary construction on the beaches of Maharashtra from 1 October to 31 May of every year. All structures permitted by this license need to stop operation by 31st May and remove temporary construction by 10th June. The DoT invites the tour operators to form separate tourist activities around the fort, island forts and fort circuits. This may constitute the following: 1 Special educational programs on the history of forts 2 Light shows and cultural performances at select forts 3 Conversion of certain sections of select forts into Heritage hotels 4 Forts as exclusive wedding destinations. 5 Balloon Safari in the vicinity of forts or smaller fort circuits 6 Introduction of sea planes through operators along the fort circuit 7 Development of interpretation center across the forts 8 Creation of public amenities such as recreation centers, toilets etc. through CSR mode In order to develop coastal tourism and yacht tourism, single entry pass issuing procedures for yachts will be implemented by MTDC in collaboration with Port Authorities, Border Patrol, Customs Department, Passport police, and other authorities concerning coastal gateways. MTDC will also initiate setting up of infrastructure to support yacht sailing through a PPP mode The DoT in association with relevant stakeholders will simplify procedures for sailing across the coastal line of Maharashtra The delicacies from the regions of Vidharbha, Malwan, Konkan, Kolhapur, street food of Mumbai, etc. will be promoted through special culinary events and festivals in the state. Create project profiles on various segments such as wild life tourism, trekking, hitch hiking, nature trails, jungle safari, balloon safari, bird watching, camping activities, etc. It will also earmark specific regions across the state such as Melghat, Tadoba, Pench, etc. as nature tourism zones and promote it to target audience. DoT and MTDC will evaluate and create Special Tourism Estates around nature parks, wild life reserves, etc. This will be created within 10 km radius of the zone. MTDC will invite public private partnerships, the local communities, NGOs, and private citizens in wildlife conservation and restoration. Within these zones, special experiential tourism involving local culture, cuisine, yogic exercise, wellness centres and other unique local experiences will be promoted. The MTDC in association Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra will also consider zoning of the nature and wildlife reserves allowing specific access to restricted areas. Access to such areas will be facilitated through the smart ticketing system as mentioned above. DoT will decide on separate incentives to set up trade cooperatives, involvement of local communities, skill development and training, homestays and lodging, etc. Education Tourism Tiger Eco-tourism Other themes Adventure Tourism Medical Tourism Other key include support The DoT also invites private and NGO funding mechanism for the revitalization of denuded buffer zones and corridors. Develop Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur as major education hubs through which the tourism related studies and research can be promoted and practiced. It will also promote and organize tie-ups with world renowned institutes on student exchange programmes. MTDC will develop international level tiger eco-tourism parks in a PPP mode. It will be developed with state-of-the-art facilities at Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves and promote the same at both national and international events. MTDC will also design special programs/ infrastructure to connect Tiger EcoTourism Parks to tiger safaris, and tourism estates with tourist amenities, which will act as gateways to tourist destinations in the area. DoT will plan policies to promote other themes which include golf tourism, helitourism and sports tourism. It will also plan a special Media and Entertainment policy to promote the state a multimedia and animation hub. MTDC will develop these tourism areas through a PPP mode. The regions of Vidarbha, Konkan, Aurangabad and special tourism zones will be given prime focus. Many virgin and emerging areas in the Western Ghats and in the Vidarbha region can provide a whole new holiday experience A complete package of medical facilities to foreign as well as domestic travelers need to be identified and marketed Development of wayside amenities on the highways Marketing support for both online and offline media Promotion of domestic tourism in Maharashtra in 25 cities across in India; highlightingthestate’sestates,cuisine,cultureetc. Important locations across the world will be targeted for increasing the tourism footfall in the state. For e.g. the state will market its warm winter tourism opportunities in niche markets with strong winter climate Host travel marts and summits. For e.g. the state will host a travel summit in Aurangabad in 2016 Development of an event calendar to celebrate all the festivals Registration of Service Providers/Stakeholders Mobile Apps for tourist info and tourist safety Hop-on-hop-off buses And many other support facilities such as facilitate safety & security, solid waste management, water & sanitation, cleanliness & hygiene, emergency medical services, transport infrastructure, guiding services and leisure activities at identified locations have been planned Setupan‘ExperienceMaharashtraSociety’onthebasis of Experience India Society. Promotion of Make In India and Make in Maharashtra The policy will be supplemented with a specific action plan for a short and long term period 4 Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015 – Key Definitions and classifications 4.1 Tourism Zone Classification Zone A Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban District, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Areas Zone B All Municipal Corporations (except areas in Zone A and special tourism districts) and A Class Municipalities. Zone C All districts of Maharashtra except areas in Zone A, B and Special tourism districts Special Tourism Districts of Sindhudurg, Aurangabad and Nagpur Districts Special Tourism High potential zones to be earmarked by DoT Zones 4.2 Eligible Units The unit falling in areas as classified above in A, B, C, Special Tourism zones earmarked by MTDC and Special Tourism districts of Sindhudurg, Aurangabad and Nagpur, for being eligible for the incentives under the new scheme of incentives in the Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015, should have a criteria fulfilled as given below from the date of registration. 4.3 Zone Classification Minimum Fixed Capital Investment Direct employment generation Time period for investment A 5 crore 15 3 years B 2 crore 10 2 years C 50 lakhs 5 18 months STD/STZ 50 lakhs 5 15 months Fixed Capital Inves tment Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) is the total investment in building and equipment for setting up a tourism unit. The FCI amount is used to calculate the incentives applicable to a particular tourism unit. 4.4 Employment Total direct and permanent employment generated by a tourism unit1 1 Does not include multiplexes and malls 4.5 Mega/ Ultr a Mega Project Classification Type of Units Zone Classification Fixed Capital Investment in Direct employment INR crore generation Mega project unit A 100 300 B 50 150 C 25 75 STD/STZ 15 45 500 750 Ultra Mega project Entire state unit Note: a. The maximum fiscal incentives that can be realized through this scheme is equal to the fixed capital investment. b. The Tourism project should be eligible for 'Mega/ Ultra Mega Project' either by way of investment or by way of employment generation. c. Only direct employment should be considered for Mega/ Ultra Mega project status. d. For units providing direct employment to at least 2 times the threshold direct employment 10% enhancement in subsidy and 2 year extension in eligibility period. e. Maximum incentive disbursement i.e. the monetary ceiling per year should be equal to FCI divided by the eligibility period. 4.6 Large and MSME Project Classif ication Large scale tourism units with investment more than Medium Services Enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act 2006 but less than Mega projects, will be classified as large scale tourism units. In accordance with the provision of MSMED Act 2006, the MSME tourism units will be classified under service enterprises. The new units have to fulfill the minimum criteria as mentioned in section 4.2 5 Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2015 – Fiscal incentives 5.1 Fiscal incentives for M ega/ Ultra Mega Projects A tourism unit will be awarded a mega/ultra- mega project status as per the Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) and the direct employment generated. Tourism Units with Fixed Capital Investments or employing direct regular persons according to the threshold limits as stated in Table 2, will be classified as Mega/ Ultra-Mega projects. Incentives A B C STZ/STD Ultra Mega project unit Eligibility Period (in years) 10 10 15 15 20 VAT reimbursement 50% Gross 75% Gross 100% Gross 100% VAT VAT VAT VAT Gross 100% Gross VAT Luxury Tax exemption 50% 75% 100% 100% 100% Entertainment Tax exemption 50% 75% 100% 100% 100% Electricity duty Exemption 50% 75% 100% 100% 100% Stamp duty and Registration charges 50% exemption 75% 100% 100% 100% Property Tax & NonAgricultural Tax Exemption Total exemption from Property Tax & Non-Agricultural Tax to all tourism projects run/owned by MTDC. Water Rate The water rate/ tariff to be levied at the prevalent industrial rate for period of 3/5/7/7/7 years from the date of operation. Electricity Rate The electricity rate/tariff to be levied at the prevalent industrial rate for period of 3/5/7/7/7 years from the date of operation. FSI 1. Base FSI of 3.0 for all mega/ultra-mega tourism units in the A and B zones. This is subject to special restrictions in the zones, as specified by local bodies. 2. 80 per cent of the total area can be permitted for tourism and the remaining 20 per cent for the tourism support activities. Employee Provident 100 per cent refund of ESI and EPF for the respective eligible periods. Fund Refund Licenses and Clearances Tourism projects require various licenses and clearances like lodging house license, eating house license, Police permissions, license under the Shop & Establishment Act, and license under the Food & Drug Admin. Act etc. These licenses have to be renewed every year. By this Policy 2015, these licenses/permissions will require renewal every 5 years instead of the present annual renewal. Additional incentives for Special tourism zones and Special Tourism districts 1. No increase in water and electricity tariff for a period of 10 years. However any actual increase in the cost of operation of these services shall be recovered from the user as per the guidelines issues by the concerned Departments. 2. Entry tax on tourist vehicles shall be fully exempted for 10 years. 5.2 Fiscal incentives for Large Projects All the above incentives as in Mega/ Ultra Projects remain the same with exception of the following: 1. Eligibility period for A and B areas is 7 years. For areas in C and STZ/STD its 10 years 2. The base FSI is 2.0 and the max. of additional FSI of up to 50 percent will be given to all tourism projects in STZs and STDs 5.3 Fiscal incentives for M SME projects All the above incentives as in Mega/ Ultra Projects remain the same with exception of the following: 1. Eligibility period for A and B areas is 5 years. For areas in C and STZ/STD its 7 years 2. The base FSI is 1.5 and the max. of additional FSI of up to 100 percent will be given to all tourism projects in STZs and STDs 5.4 Benefit for some par ticular cas es under Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2006 policy Companies which were eligible for luxury tax exemption under the Maharashtra Tourism 2006 policy will be considered on a case to case basis 6 Special incentives for the key strategic interventions in Maharashtra 6.1 Additional incentives f or Sustainable tourism units 6.2 For all units which have successfully classified under the sustainable tourism practices, there will be extension in the eligible time period of incentives. The extension of time period will be approved by the HPC. 100% re-imbursement on achieving the certifications and standards from the Eco-tourism society of India up to an amount of INR 1 lakh. Additional incentives f or MICE units 6.3 For all units which are successfully classified under the MICE tourism practices, there will be extension in the eligible time period of incentives. The extension of time period will be approved by the HPC. Additional incentives f or women 6.4 6.5 New Tourism Units owned and managed by women entrepreneurs (with minimum equity participation of 51% in the entity) and the differently-abled will be entitled to an additional time period of incentives. The extension of time period will be approved by the HPC. Additional incentives f or skill development programmes Industry bodies / chambers of commerce / recognized tourism and hospitality institutions etc. are encouraged to utilize their CSR funds for the development of tourism human resources for the state Special tourism development courses and modules will be imparted in association with the hoteliers, tour operators, etc. Reimbursement of 100% of Course Fees, up to a maximum of INR 12,500 /- per person for course duration of a fortnight or more. Monthly stipend of INR 7,500 /- to be given to tourist guides from the local areas who are registered under MTDC Additional Incentives for Film/Television/Documentaries shot in Maharashtra Up to 100% of the entertainment tax levied on the movie tickets of the movie will be waived off if the filmmaker spends 75% or more of the total number of dates allotted to shooting and canning the film in Maharashtra(except for Zone A areas) Up to 50% of the entertainment tax levied on the movie tickets of the movie will be waived off if the filmmaker spends 50%-74% of the of the total number of dates allotted to shooting and canning the film in Maharashtra(except for Zone A areas) ***** 7 Annexure – Proposed Event Calender