Question : Revival of Tourism Sector After Covid-19 Pandemic

(a) whether the tourism sector in the country has been devastated by the Corona pandemic;
(b) whether the Government has any estimate about losses incurred in tourism sector so far;
(c) whether it is also true that 4-5 crore people lost their jobs in the tourism industry due to the corona pandemic;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to revive the tourism sector in the country; and
(e) the plans of the Government to implement the Standard operating Procedure in the future?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) : Yes, Sir. The sector has been severely impacted by the Corona pandemic.

(b) & (c): No formal study has been instituted for assessment of the impact on the losses suffered by the industry. However, several rounds of discussions and brainstorming sessions with industry stakeholders indicate massive loss of jobs. In view of the highly unorganized nature of the sector, the impact in numerical terms can only be ascertained in due course.
(d) & (e): The following steps have been taken to overcome the crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic in the tourism sector:

(i) Detailed operational guidelines for Covid safety and hygiene for hotels, restaurants, B&Bs/ Home stays and Tourism Service Providers have been formulated and issued on 08.06.2020 to facilitate smooth resumption of business.
(ii) Validity of approval or certifications of hotels and other accommodation units whose project approval/re-approval and classification/re-classification have expired / were likely to expire, has been extended upto 30th September, 2020.
(iii) The Ministry has developed an initiative called SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry), for effective implementation of Guidelines/SOPs issued with reference to COVID 19 and beyond for safe operations of Hotels, Restaurants, B&Bs and other units.
(iv) Operational Recommendations for safe resumption of business with easing of lockdown restrictions have been issued for various segments of the travel and hospitality industry and circulated amongst all stakeholders.
(v) Recognition of Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport Operators by the Ministry of Tourism has been extended automatically by six months. Those who have submitted applications for recognition by the Ministry have been given provisional recognition for six months, pending completion of required procedures.
(vi) In addition to the above steps taken by Ministry of Tourism, other agencies/Ministries of Government of India have declared stimulus packages like loan moratorium, waived off PF contribution, deferment of TCS up to October 2020, collateral free automatic loan under Atmanirbhar Bharat package etc. to revive the economy and industry including units of the hospitality industry.


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