Lower tax, help tourism: Suri pleads in RS

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address yesterday, Lalit Suri underlined that ‘‘today’s tourist is tomorrow’s investor’’ and pleaded for lower taxation to facilitate higher tourist inflow. ‘‘Tourism is not luxury,’’ he stressed.

Suri, who supported the motion, pointed out that 10 per cent of the world population is employed in tourism sector. Accounting for 5.6 per cent of GDP in India, it employs 17 million people. However, there is a vast untapped potential in the shape of the country’s cultural heritage, forest reserves, beaches, religious places and ancient monuments.

The UP member said that airports, railway stations, highways and transport modes need to be cleaner and tourist-friendly. The hotels have to be of ‘‘world-class quality and should be economically competitive’’.

Pledging his support to the process of liberalisation, Suri called for its continuation. ‘‘I compliment Opposition leader Manmohan Singh for having initiated it,’’ he said.