In an effort to counter predatory pricing and enhance the efficiency of services provided to Indian diaspora and foreign visitors, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has introduced changes in the delivery of passports, visas, and consular services. The move aims not only to fortify India’s reputation but also to usher in a new era of reliability and seamlessness in the services offered to both its citizens and global travellers.
The alteration involves a stringent revamp of the partner selection process for visas and consular services, designed to curtail any instances of predatory pricing. By implementing these rigorous selection criteria, MEA seeks to ensure that the chosen partners align with its vision of offering top-notch services without compromising quality for cost.
Jyoti Mayal, President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), lauded the transformational program initiated by the MEA to bolster its tendering and evaluation procedures. “While the focus lies on L1 pricing, there is a strong emphasis on the four pillars: Quality Services, Sustainable and Viable Price, Data Protection & Security, and Ethical Practices & Integrity,” she added.
The strategic emphasis on L1 pricing signifies a judicious cost-focused strategy, while the four pillars collectively create a well-rounded framework for excellence in service provision.
Mayal underlined the pivotal role played by the initial impression when an individual interacts with Indian Missions abroad or embarks on a journey to India. This impression, she emphasised, is crucial, as it aligns with the Indian government’s dedication to portraying the ideals of the “New India.”
In an era where India is poised to emerge as a global leader across various domains, the MEA and its associated missions function as vital emissaries of the Indian government to the global community, shared Mayal. They must focus on offering superior, efficient, and cost-effective services as perhaps the first step in that direction, she stressed.
To build business relationships, catalysing tourism growth and facilitating collaborative ventures within tourism, Visit Finland held its annual workshop across key Indian cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi recently. Over 17 suppliers from Finland participated in the workshop, making for the largest-ever delegation from the Finnish tourism sector to India.
Additionally, she talked about India’s ambitious drive to emerge as a frontrunner in various sectors, including trade, cross-border services, and citizen engagement. “As India marches towards a high momentum growth period, it will be critical to plan for factors that can impede progress and mitigate reputational and image risks for the Indian Government.”She therefore, stressed on the necessity of focusing on quality, reliability, and credibility of service providers to ensure the seamless delivery of services in line with established standards.
“The focus on quality also indicates that public resources are utilised wisely and that citizens receive the best possible value for money,” believes Mayal.
The new approach further signifies a concerted effort to safeguard trust and confidence in the government’s capabilities, thus averting any erosion of public faith that could result from subpar service levels, leading to public dissatisfaction.
