Seasoned tour operator calls for better infrastructure to boost tourism sector

As President of ITTA, he raises the concerns of drivers on every possible forum and platform and reiterates that they are the bedrock of the tourism sector. “An average tourist spends 35% of his time with drivers. If you want to boost the tourism sector, we have to improve their state-of-affairs. That is the key to progress of our tourism sector,” he says

Even as the country’s policy makers of tourism sector always look forward for a flood of foreign tourists, they ignore the very vital issue-Are we providing safety to tourists? What are the challenges in improving safety?

Addressing it in a holistic manner, Amritpal Singh Mann, President of Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA), says that India is quite safe for tourists, barring some areas that are dangerous. “Crimes are not common, especially against foreigners. But, they have faced issues like petty thefts, scams, touts and sexual harassments.”

As an effective remedial measure the central and state governments should “Strengthen security measures at major hotels, transport hubs, places of worship, tourist attractions and public places. Only recognised tourist transport operators must be promoted as they are accountable to the Ministry of Tourism,” he points out.

It may be recalled that the 54-year-old Amrit Mann is a self-effacing man by choice, which sounds quite unusual as the Director, of Mann Tours he is a part of the luxury world. He provides luxury cars and buses to the Union Government and to almost all the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

“We were providing luxury cars, SUVs, vans and Volvos and luxury buses for the G20 Summit,” informs Mann, who has invested close to a staggering Rs 60 crore to build up inventory for G20.

For Mann G20 is history. He has moved on to take up the other challenges head-on. For instance, he was providing cars and other vehicles for the recent MotoGP event in Greater Noida. For the first time in history, India was hosting a MotoGP event with the Indian Oil Grand Prix of India.

Well, life has moved full circle for Mann who spent his youth in ShakarPur in East Delhi and Gole Market.

“My father was working in Ram Manohar Hospital and mother was a nurse in Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narain Hospital. I have a middle-class upbringing.” Mann was sure even when in school that he would never take up government job.

“When I was little over 18 in 1986, my parents helped me buy a second hand Ambassador car. That was the beginning of my tryst with cars and transport line. I catered to individuals and companies,” he informs. He purchased another car and there has been no looking back. He now owns over 200 luxury cars, vans and buses.

Where does he park vehicles? “We have hired a big farm house space in Kapashara in South-West Delhi. Previously, we used to park them in and around Nehru Park and Pragati Maiden area,” he says.

Mann’s company was perhaps the first in Delhi to buy Mercedes car in late 1990s. When news spread that there was a tourist firm that provides Mercedes car, his business flourished. “I started getting a barrage of work orders from Hotel Lalit, Oberoi and other places. It was like game-changer for us,” he said.

Despite earning both money and reputation, Mann swears by his roots.

He talks very passionately about drivers. “How can I forget my days as a driver? I was a driver for 6-7 years from 1986 to 1991. I understand the hardships, pain and difficulties faced by chauffeurs. Sadly, they don’t get respect from their employers. They are treated with contempt everywhere. They deserve fair treatment. We are short of at least 10-12 million skilled drivers. We definitely need to look and find ways to bridge this gap. We talk about the need for tourism to grow substantially but without good drivers we can never grow,” says Mann.

As President of ITTA, he raises the concerns of drivers on every possible forum and platform and reiterates that they are the bedrock of the tourism sector.

According to Mann, ITTA was formed in late sixties and was reinforced in 1987 to put forward grievances, suggestions and demands to various ministries, departments and semi-government bodies.

“An average tourist spends 35% of his time with drivers. If you want to boost the tourism sector, we have to improve their state-of-affairs. That is the key to progress of our tourism sector.”

Mann opines that tour and travel business was in tatters when Mumbai terror strikes devastated the country’s psyche. It took years to recover. And in the recent past, Covid hit the tourism sector even more badly.

However, at the height of Covid second wave, unlike initiatives taken even by large corporate houses, Mann did not remove any staffer even though business was at its lowest ebb.

“How can I remove my trusted staff when the going was tough?” Mann said.

(The author is Delhi-based senior journalist and writer. He is author of Gandhi's Delhi which has brought to the forth many hidden facts about Mahatma Gandhi)