Relief for tourism sector likely in Himachal

With clouds of uncertainty and gloom looming over the tourism industry, the government could come out with a relief package, including disbursal of soft loans, for hoteliers and other stakeholders. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken by the Cabinet at its meeting scheduled for June 25. Despite the state giving the go ahead for non-commercial opening of hotels for guests from within the state, none of the hoteliers were keen to start operations in view of Covid. Various departments concerned, including law, finance and tourism, are jointly trying to formulate a relief package for hoteliers and other stakeholders associated with the hospitality sector. “The endeavour is to cover up for the bare minimum loss that the tourism industry has suffered for the summer season, which attracts the highest number of tourists,” said an official. The Tourism Department will hold a meeting with all stakeholders, including hoteliers and organisers of adventure sports and other activities, on June 26. The new SOPs will be framed in consultation with these people who are directly associated with the hospitality sector. The hoteliers, on their own, are keen to prepare and train their staff for post-Covid operations. An awareness and training programme is scheduled to be held for 100 hotel and restaurant owners here in the state capital on June 24. The government is worried as the tourism sector contributes 7.3 per cent to the state GDP and in terms of money, this works out to be about Rs 8,100 crore. Every year, this contribution has been on the rise and so has the influx of tourists, both domestic and international.