Coronavirus scare: Tourism sector in Odisha seeks government aid

Debabrata Mohapatra | TNN | Apr 16, 2020, 11:57 IST

Picture used for representational purpose only

BHUBANESWAR: The tourism department has said that it is keeping a close watch on Covid-19 impact on the sector and will initiate revival plans once situation improves. The department has not yet assessed the financial loss incurred by Odisha Tourism in the wake of the pandemic.
Tourism secretary, Vishal Dev held a teleconference with representatives of the hotel and restaurant association of Odisha (HRAO) recently and assured to extend all possible support to the hospitality industry. The buzzing tourism sector in the state is in doldrums thanks to cancellation of hotel bookings and suspension of air, rail and road transport systems in view of Covid-19 pandemic.
“I interacted with the HRAO functionaries and assured them to look into their suggestions. It is too early to assess the loss to Odisha tourism. We have received several proposals from the HRAO. Government will definitely take steps to bring tourism back on its feet,” said Dev, who is also the officer on special duty (OSD) to chief secretary on the state Covid-19 management.
During the teleconference with Dev, the HRAO sought government’s help in getting one-year moratorium on payment of EMIs, working capital, principal, interest payment, loans and overdrafts. They also demanded waiver of state goods and services tax till situation improves. “We requested the state government to give us financial assistance (interest free) from Odisha labour welfare fund to pay salaries of our staff in hotels for the next six months. Since the government has asked hotels to not sack employees during the time of crisis, we need financial support,” HRAO chairman J K Mohanty said.
The hotel body suggested the government to launch a marketing plan before the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted. HRAO said the government should ask corporates (PSUs and private sectors) to hold their seminars, meetings, conferences and dealer meets inside Odisha only for next two years. “We have proposed creation of a Covid-19 task force, consisting 5 or 6 members from HRAO to interact with the government on post-lockdown revival packages. We also requested the government to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to hotels,” Mohanty said.