Addressing a press meet in Pune yesterday, Hotels & Restaurants Association of Western India (HRAWI) highlighted key industry issues faced by hoteliers in Western India.
The Association also said that their 17th Regional Convention, titled ‘Tourism: Awakening the Sleeping Giant’, will provide an impetus to the industry and create a networking platform for fraternity members, a release stated. Referring to issues bothering hoteliers nationwide, HRAWI took note of cable rates not being finalised by the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for hotels of three-to-five-star categories with over 50 rooms, due to which cable operators charge these properties phenomenal amounts with no regulation.
HRAWI also spoke about the Service Tax levied by the Central government on restaurants that are fully or partially air-conditioned. It said that IPRS and PPL taxation issues must be taken up by the Centre. HRAWI stated that tourism-specific zones must be created in key cities of Maharashtra, starting with Mumbai. They brought up the Property Tax issue in Mumbai as well as excise-related matters, simplification of procedures with various departments and the MERC issue.
The Association also said that their 17th Regional Convention, titled ‘Tourism: Awakening the Sleeping Giant’, will provide an impetus to the industry and create a networking platform for fraternity members, a release stated. Referring to issues bothering hoteliers nationwide, HRAWI took note of cable rates not being finalised by the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for hotels of three-to-five-star categories with over 50 rooms, due to which cable operators charge these properties phenomenal amounts with no regulation.
HRAWI also spoke about the Service Tax levied by the Central government on restaurants that are fully or partially air-conditioned. It said that IPRS and PPL taxation issues must be taken up by the Centre. HRAWI stated that tourism-specific zones must be created in key cities of Maharashtra, starting with Mumbai. They brought up the Property Tax issue in Mumbai as well as excise-related matters, simplification of procedures with various departments and the MERC issue.