A joint white paper released on 29 April 2026 by EY India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) warns that India attracts barely 1.5 % of global international tourist arrivals, far below its cultural heft. Key culprits identified: time-consuming visas, patchy air connectivity and uncompetitive costs driven by the 18 % Goods and Services Tax (GST) on high-end hotel rooms. The 104-page study—launched at Jaipur’s Great Indian Travel Bazaar—proposes slashing GST to 9 % for premium accommodation and expanding the current e-Visa regime from 180 to 240 nationalities. It also calls for a Schengen-style ‘India One’ multi-state permit that would let foreign tourists file a single itinerary instead of navigating fragmented state regulations. For the corporate travel sector, the report recommends a dedicated ‘MICE Corridor’ fast-track visa processed within 48 hours and valid for multiple entries over a 90-day window, aimed at global conferences and exhibitions. FICCI argues that each percentage-point increase in inbound share could add ₹500 billion to GDP and create 2 million jobs. The Tourism Ministry has acknowledged receipt of the report and hinted that GST rationalisation could be discussed at the next GST Council meeting in July. Industry watchers say the paper provides empirical backing for reforms long championed by travel-tech start-ups and global hotel chains.
Source: The Morning Voice
