|
Macroview
TFCI forthcoming on cruise tourism and STZ's
Anupama Sushil - New Delhi
The Tourism Finance Corporation of India is all set to fund projects related
to cruise tourism, though a final policy on cruise tourism is still awaited
from the government. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Archana Capoor, chairman
and managing director, TFCI said that they were just waiting for the policy
to fall in place. The corporation, Capoor said, is not against shelling out
funds, either, incase the project is on a public-private partnership basis or
being entirely managed by a private party, and the funds would mainly facilitate
the refurbishing of an existing project.
Also expressing interest on special tourism zones, at a time
when tourism facilitation has already started, the CMD said that STZ's are sure
to prove beneficial proposals as they would cater to all the needs of a tourist.
These zones could be a huge tourist complex facilitating stay, IT services and
local cottage industries displaying the flavour of the region.
|
|
|
As reported earlier that the TFCI charges higher
interest rates as compared to other financial institutions, Archana Capoor,
with relation to that statement told Express TravelWorld that the report
sent to the Planning commission by the Ministry of Tourism was outdated
(2001-2002) and further that TFCI has been misquoted, and that the report
has no relevance.
She stated that today, banks are charging interest
rates of up to as high as 16 per cent while TFCI charges even less than
13 per cent in some cases. "TFCI is as competitive as the banks,"
she asserted.
In conclusion, she said that while for the banks
interest rates are a business proposition, for TFCI, it is purely a financial
project where they are more concerned about the end use of the money (which
involves monitoring of setting up of project, break even, cash flows etc),
therefore making it more realistic.
|
Building these zones on the outskirts of the city would prove beneficial for
all the parties involved, starting from the investor, participant, tourists
and local population. The project will further facilitate people crossing that
particular city to enjoy the flavour of the place, without going into the city
itself; thus creating jobs for the local population.
She added that the projects should be built with local funding, to help reduce
the cost of the project. "The time has come for the states to take a serious
step towards upgrading infrastructure as a step forward towards such projects",
Capoor commented.
Citing the example of Haryana that already has many complexes on northern highways,
she said that these could easily be extended to serve as special tourism zones
by upgrading the facilities available.
|
