While expressing his gratitude on behalf of the tourism and hospitality sector of Odisha for the stimulus shot announced by Finance Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman on June 28th, Chairman of Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha J K Mohanty, suggested, “Since the pandemic period is still on and we are expecting the third wave of COVID 19, fixing up deadline of March 2022 for free VISAs up to 5 lakh tourists may kindly be extended up to March 2023. Also, granting a loan at this period and charging interest may not be very attractive for the travel trade.”
He further explained that the travel trade expected some shot of grants as relief for revival of the business or interest free loan up to a period of three years to enable the travel trade to revive. A limit of Rs.10.00 lakh for travel agents, tour operators should not be the benchmark.
“The amount may be fixed on income of the companies looking at their balance sheet of last three years. Presently, as tourism is not expected to revive fast it will be difficult for tour operators and travel agents to repay the loan on time,” stressed Mohanty.
The crisis ridden industry is battling for its survival since the outbreak of Coronavirus. While recalling the efforts made by HRAO the Chairman informed that the hotel industry had appealed for increasing the moratorium period on the ECLGS=1 & ECLGS-2, but the Finance Minister has not yet commented anything on the same. “Without tourists and movement of corporate travellers during this lockdown period, hotels are mostly closed. It was, therefore, requested to extend four years moratorium for revival of the hotel industry,” he added.
HRAO Chairman feels positive that the Finance Minister will consider extension of the moratorium period for hospitality sector as hotels are capital intensive industry, largest employment generator and foreign exchange earner for the country.
“Our appeal to the Hon’ble Finance Minister once again to have a re-look at the tourism sector and also focus on world class tourism infrastructure building of India to enable India to compete with its neighbouring countries of South East Asia such as Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, China etc.”
“We are sure with basic tourist infrastructure development, India will be able to compete with its neighbouring countries and make tourism ‘The Driving Force of the Country’s Economy’,” concludes Mohanty.
