Covid-19: Tourism industry hopes for relief from upcoming Union budget

Amid the ongoing Covid19 pandemic the tourism sector is hoping for relaxation in taxes from the upcoming Union Budget which is scheduled to be presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1According to hoteliers in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic the tourism industry is one of the most affected sectors in Himachal Pradesh and the government should bring schemes for its revival and attract more touristsPresident of Himachal Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association Ashwani Bamba said We are very hopeful from the upcoming budget as you know that tourism industry is the most affected sector due to Covid19 in the past two years Firstly we want that the government to give the tourism sector equal status as that of the industrial sector along with equal facilities Secondly we request the government to provide lowinterest finance to us There is no GST on hotel rooms below the tariff of rupees one thousand which should be rupees two thousand So that the tourists flow will increase and will help to revive the economyAshish Mishra a hotelier in Mcleodganj said Tourism industry is the main industry in Himachal Pradesh and Covid19 has destroyed this sector As far as the upcoming budget is concerned we hope that government should pay attention to our woes The tourism industry is like a chain business There are taxi operators shopkeepers hotels all depend on each other and everyone is affected So first of all I hope that government will give relief in tax slab and give a special package to the tourism industry to benefit interdependent peopleWhile speaking about the upcoming budget Pawan Verma a tourist from Delhi said I feel that people are afraid of Covid19 and very few tourists are coming to Himachal Government should bring a scheme which will encourage tourists and following that then many people will be benefited from the tourism chain system Tourists are a part of our economy and the government has to take some important steps for the revival of the tourism sector Secondly the government should give relaxation in taxes alsoRavinder Kumar a tourist from Delhi says I came here with a limited budget and the taxes are on high end here I have to pay an extra 28 to 30 per cent due to taxes so the government should give some relaxation in the taxes It will definitely encourage the tourism sectorMeanwhile the Tamil Nadu tourism industry is expecting improvement in ecotourism in the Central Budget and reduction of GST We also want to improve ecotourism Reduce service tax and GST levied on restaurants and hostels The main beaches should be beautified ecotourism should be enhanced and a glassbottom boat tour service should be set up to see the seabed For the convenience of the devotees visiting the worldfamous Ramanathaswamy Temple public toilets should be provided on the four chariot roads around the temple to maintain hygiene Similarly free hostels should be built for pilgrims to stay and relax said Baskaran All India Pilgrims Guides Association President This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever