Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority (APTA) has recently formulated Andhra Pradesh Tourism Trade (registration and facilitation) guidelines 2020, for registration of service providers.
As per a recent order issued on the behalf of APTA, a copy of which is with Travel Trade Insider, the mechanism will help to maintain statistical information required for the planning and development of tourism and hospitality sectors in the state.
“The guidelines will encourage the improvement of service standards and offer the best quality tourism services. It will also facilitate the establishment of industry linkages with tourism departments of other states, national and international renowned travel and tourism players, travel and tourism-related associations and societies, etc.,” the order highlighted.
“Andhra Pradesh is probably the first state to call for registration of travel agents. Other states have a policy that only calls for registration of hotels. We are very happy that the Andhra Pradesh Government under our Chief Secretary, Rajat Bhargav has taken such a thoughtful initiative. It is a big step forward for tour operators in the state as this creates an industry linkage and encourages and facilitates the tourism trade,” said K. Vijay Mohan, President, Tours & Travels Association of Andhra (TTAA).
“We also thank Praveen Kumar, CEO, APTA for taking up with the government that there is no mechanism in place to register the tourism trade operators and ensuring that the government formulates guidelines in this regard,” added Mohan.
Registration under these guidelines shall be mandatory for all tourism-related trade establishments and service providers. Only registered companies will be eligible for any government-sponsored initiatives, incentives, subsidies and schemes. The registration is on a self-declaration basis. The service providers can apply for registration by filling the forms and uploading the relevant documents online at www.aptourism.gov.in.