On the day of the opening of Parliament, the Ministry of Tourism referred NCAER The report, in response to a question raised by Lok Sabha MPs Ramesh Kaushik and Raju Bista, said that 14.5 million jobs were lost during the first quarter, followed by 5.2 million jobs during the second quarter and 1.8 million during the third quarter of 20 Gone. -21, after the lockdown was implemented.
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The NCAER report, a draft of which has been approved by the tourism ministry, is yet to be published. The sponsored study resulted in an analytical report that used mathematical models to estimate the damage to the economy in terms of tourism expenditure, projects that total recovery could take place in only 3-4 years, loss of household income assesses, and includes recommendations for revival. of tourism sector.
The ministry appointed NCAER to conduct a study on ‘India and the coronavirus pandemic: Policies for economic loss and recovery for families engaged in tourism’ in January, 2021.
It also set up a task force, headed by the tourism minister, to “tape up the challenge posed by the outbreak” of COVID-19 and to make suitable recommendations for the revival of the tourism and hospitality sector in the country. However, no formal study was conducted to assess the State/UT-wise impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry.
It also said that foreign exchange earnings (fee) during the months between January and December 2020 fell 76.3% compared to the same period in 2019.
India’s travel and tourism sector, which accounts for around 2.5% of GDP, has repeatedly appealed to the government to seek aid for travel and tourism businesses that are on the verge of collapse due to the coronavirus pandemic.
From hotels to travel and tour operators and tour guides, representative bodies of the tourism sector have made several petitions to the government, highlighting the deep financial stress caused by the pandemic on the travel and hospitality sector during 2020-21.
With a consequent impact on the viability of tourism enterprises and jobs, FaithThe federation of travel and hospitality businesses in the country sought waiver of statutory obligations and asked states to offer 100% exemption without penalty for travel and hospitality businesses on all fixed electricity and utility charges, excise duties, property taxes needed. , Interstate Tourist Transport Tax, SGST Exemption, and all local taxes.
The industry body grants automatic renewal of all licenses, permits, permissions expiring in FY 2021-22 without any financial charge or penalty and an industry status for tourism, travel and hospitality and refund of unutilized GST credit lying with them also demanded. The travel sector needs liquidity.
The sector’s response to the finance minister’s “bailout package” also failed to provide much enthusiasm as businesses have said they need cash flow to sustain businesses rather than monetary policy intervention.
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