नवीन चौहान
कोरोना संक्रमण की आपदा के चलते उत्तराखंड का पर्यटन कारोबार पूरी तरह से ठप्प हो गया है। प्रदेश को करीब सात हजार करोड़ का नुकसान हुआ वही चार लाख लोग लोग बेरोजगारी की कगार पर पहुंच चुके है। आपदा की पीड़ा से त्रस्त टूर आपरेटर एसोसिएशन उत्तराखंड की ओर से पर्यटन व्यवसाय से जुडे़ सभी लोगों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए राज्य सरकार को कुछ सुझाव भेजे गये है। एसोसिएशन के अध्यक्ष अभिषेक अहलुवालिया ने बताया कि कोविड- 19 महामारी के विकराल दैत्य ने हम सभी के व्यवसाय को लील लिया है। इस महामारी से सबसे ज्यादा हानि टूरिज्म एवं हास्पिटैलिटी से जुडे लोगों को हुई है। आज इस कठिन परिस्थिति में हमें कोई भी राहत किसी भी स्तर पर नहीं मिली है। देवभूमि उत्तराखंड का पर्यटन व्यवसाय पलायन रोकने मे बहुत सहायक रहा है। लेकिन इस कठिन समय में प्रदेश में 3 से 4लाख लोग बेरोजगार हो गये हैं तथा लगभग 6 से7 हजार करोड़ रुपये का व्यापार प्रभावित हुआ है। जिससे सरकार को भी राजस्व की हानि हुई है। उन्होंने बताया कि प्रदेश सरकार ने इंदु कुमार पाण्डेय को दायित्व सौंपा गया है जो विभिन्न प्राप्त सुझावों पर विचार कर सहायता प्रदान करने के लिए काम कर रहे है।
अध्यक्ष अभिषेक अहलुवालिया ने सभी पदाधिकारियों और सदस्यों से गहन विचार विमर्श कर सरकार को एक मांग पत्र भी कुछ सुझावों के साथ भेजा है। जैसा कि उन्होंने बताया कि अभी तक सरकार द्वारा कोई भी राहत पैकेज पर्यटन व्यवसाय को नहीं दिया गया है जबकि लोगों के सामने परिवार का भरणपोषण एक यक्ष प्रश्न लिए खडा है। दूसरा जिन पर्यटकों ने अग्रिम बुकिंग करवा रखी थीं वह अपने पैसे का रिफंड प्राप्त करने के लिए भी तरह तरह से दबाव बना रहे हैं।एसोसिएशन द्वारा भी भरसक प्रयास किया जा रहा है और अपील की जा रही है कि सभी धैर्य बनाये रखें आप लोगों को ऐसे कठिन समय में देवभूमि के लोगों पर विश्वास बनाये रखना चाहिए। सरकार द्वारा राहत मिलने पर इस दिशा में विचार किया जाएगा और सरकार के दिशानिर्देशों का पूर्ण पालन किया जाएगा।
To,
Mr Dilip Jawalkar
The Secretary Tourism
Government Of Uttrakhand, Dehradun.
CC 01: Mrs Indu Pandey
CC 02: Mr Bhupesh Chandra Tiwari
First of all, thank you for asking us to send our suggestions on strategic planning for revivals of tourism business in this state. In this time with a short notice we are just marking our points as a request also to be implemented with immediate effect if possible for you. Overall government is doing great as of now however so required at this moment.
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in widespread disruption across the world. As the travel business is very labor intensive this disruption is causing immense hardship and hitting the most vulnerable sections of the society really hard. Government needs to come up with a clear roadmap for helping out the industry and this should be done on a short term (0-6 months) level from April 14th and medium term (6-18 months).
Also it a matter of fact our industry bodies either they are small scale entrepreneur or major stake holders or association bound for the upliftment of the tourism society , all have given their wish list to the various decision makers,
We have also tried to compile a few points that could be done in the short term and medium term. Whatever package is coming, it should be announced immediately within the next 5-10 days so that it is started to implement by 1st of May.
With Immediate Effect Short Term Measures ( Period level 00-06 months):
Government Level (apart from incentives as requested by the Travel trade and presented already)
Prevention of unemployment & balancing the survivals on immediate basis by enforcing a law or order to financial institutions and bankers of India for giving soft or interest free loans to small and medium tour operators and travel agents over the second quarter to tide over cash flow issues. A financial institution can be roped in for this and the funds transferred in terms of tourism bonds or such. Only stipulation being that minimum paper work be involved.
Endorsement of cancellation policy suggested by Tour Operator association which is providing a credit note against the liquidity they have used to maintain the expenses till date. As this can create an annoyance in the legal and open section. So better to apply the uniform cancellation policy suggested by Tour Operator Association.
Hotel sector would require new standards to be developed in terms of health safety and checks that are going to be regular after the crisis. Start work to set these protocols in place so that India can be first off the block.
Interest subsidies/ soft loans as a working capital to hotels and tour operators / transporters units wishing to undertake renovations and further tour & package promotional activities.
Direct credit transfer/ fees reimbursement of specific amounts to employees in the tourism sector who would like to take up career advancement courses in languages, skill development, etc. from approved institutions. This can be continued like the Skills Future program of Singapore Govt.
International campaign on social media and reinforcing our brand product like Yoga & Spirituality, Health with indigenous traditional Indian methodology. (Already being used by other country tourism banners).
Get the Uttarakhand Tourism state offices to increase their outreach to local tour operators and travel agents with help of approved tour operators of Uttarakhand and promise them full support once travel starts and also organise webinars/ virtual roadshows on India destinations for travel agents.
A Medium Term But Prompt Actions To be Taken (06-18 months).
(Plans should be by both Trade and Government)
Respect the Frequent request to consider GST & Other Tax Holiday for 06-08 months. Also it is further requested to reduce the GST percentage on applied package and hotels rate.
Also on promotional campaigns and activities the GST rate is higher. It should be relaxed by minimising this asap.
There would be more clarity required on Extend moratorium on loan repayments. The minimum period of this moratorium should be 12 months with required riders.
Establish Easy Funding System With Financial institutions to develop easy financing options for the tourism sector specifically for working capital requirements as a top up to reinvest to save and survivals requirements. This would come under the overall package to be announced by the Finance Ministry.
Consider interest subsidies to hotels undertaking renovations and introducing specific facilities.
Hotels will also follow the measures of disinfection and also will allow the 30-40% of occupancy close to a period of Post Covid.
Promote a Safe Tourism Message – Uttarakhand government should also establish a safest zones at all state borders for the screening of the tourists to be in better health identification and verification followed by a Valid Health Card.
Encourage domestic travel by airlines for people using up their credit shells.
Encourage domestic travel by tour operators for people using up their credit shells.
Waive Off all the road taxes levied in Uttrakhand for the vehicles those have tourist permits to Uttrakhand,
Easy EMIS Loaning Support : To make trips to Uttrakhand should be always easy for everyone to be a Best Pocket Size Travel Destination. Encourage Loans against the tours for Chardham Yatra Or other small weekend freaks like adventure and Skiing Activities to be paid in Easy EMIs.
Encourage & Endorsement of the Paid Leaves in Private Sector for the aspirants visiting any tourist places in Uttarakhand to support India Tourism.
Encourage quick approval of subsidies applied under senior citizens pilgrims according to applied state policies.
LTC to be included for claiming Tax deductions. Also it can be easily taken under loaning or functioning as an easy EMI.
States tourism should come up with specific promotional plans and packages for domestic travel.
Competitive federalism to be encouraged by providing funding to State Governments especially those with less budgetary support for tourism for roadshows in major cities.
Get Uttarakhand Tourism domestic offices to organise roadshows from other states with suppliers being hosted.
As FTOs are the most weaker section of this Pandemic so lets improve the terms and conditions for marketing support to Foreign Tour Operators.
To Start A Reward programs for pilgrims & Fam Trips to Tour Operators of other state only on suggestions of Tourism Stake holders in Private sectors. Its has spotted a bad experience many times when these Fem trips are being hosted by government officials with less influence in private sector at large.
Domestic Conferences & Travel Mart Or Convocations – Encourage states to have subvention programs for domestic conferences and Travel Mart but specially by establishing an active committee of private tourism stake holders.
As a result of the pandemic, if these relief measures and strategic suggestions will be well taken and implemented on time , this will be a great help for this sector.The Indian tourism Industry is looking at PAN INDIA bankruptcies, closure of business and mass unemployment .It is believed that 70% out of a total workforce could get unemployed. This effect of job losses and layoffs has already begun throughout the country.
Looking forward to hear from you and find us near by you and single voice away if you think we can be useful any moment, We are ready to fight back and work hard in this tuff time for the revivals of tourism in this state.
Abhishek Ahluwalia Vikaram Rana. Naveen Mohan
President General Secretary Vice President
Mahendra Ghildiyal Deepak Bhalla Anjeet Kumar
Treasurer Joint Secretary Joint Secretary
