Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Bangladesh is taking into account major losses as the languid situation is still continuing in tourism since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Regardless of the stagnant condition in the sector over the last few months, government is yet to come up with any specific direction, there is a little reflection in the recent budget to keep the sector going as its still neglected in regards to the government assistance, pinpointed by the insiders . The government in the current fiscal year allocated only Tk 5 lakh and 7 thousand crore for the Civil Aviation and Tourism. Even though the allocation has been increased by Tk 262 crore in 2020, but it is not sufficient to meet the demand, they said. So far, the country counts around Tk 14000 crore losses in tourism, as per the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, as it is experiencing the worst setback due to the pandemic.
The Bangladesh Tourism Board on the other hand stated that around 4 million people associated with this sector have lost their jobs and at least one and a half crore people working are in terrible situation.
Also, the Pacific Asia Travels Association said the tourism industry of the country has lost about Tk 10,000 crore from January to June.
The experts under the current situation have highlighted on ensuring loan facilities with easy terms and conditions to revitalize the sector.
For the past few years, Ranjana Saumi and her business partner have been maintaining two resorts in Sylhet and Khagrachari. They earlier had thought that they will succeed in profiting from the potential sector. But the outbreak of the coronavirus at the beginning of this has ruined everything.
“I have done all the investment. But there has been no income since March. Still I have to pay maintain expenditure. So, I was forced to lay off the employees. Like me, those, who have a couple of cottages and dependent of them, their livelihood is very miserable condition,” said Saumi.
“We are counting huge losses due to break down. We will not be able to stand again without the government’s special consideration,” said Md Rafeuzzaman, President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOBA).
In the meantime on Monday, Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel and Guesthouse Officers’ Association have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through the district administration, looking for her permission on reopening business establishments and tourist spots in the coastal area.
Subir Chowdhury Badal, President of the association, handed over the memorandum to Mohammad Ashraful Afsar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) of Cox’s Bazar.
Tags: bangladesh
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
