Friday, February 5, 2021
The travel industry is disappointed after the budget announcement on February 1, and said that the government has completely neglected travel, tourism and hospitality sectors that require an urgent boost for recovery.
Tourism is among the most severely affected industries due the Covid-19 pandemic induced lockdown. The industry continues to struggle with international borders remaining shut and domestic travel yet to benefit the travel companies that are incurring losses. Many travel companies have also shut down their businesses last year.
Subhash Goyal, the general secretary of Federation of Associations in Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), said that the budget serves a good opportunity for the government to revive the tourism industry and save around 30,000- 40,000 jobs that are on the brink of extinction. Goyal said that around 75 million people are directly and indirectly employed in the tourism industry.
Goyal added, “There are a few good things (in the budget) which may indirectly help the tourism industry, like more tourist coaches and trains in the railways. Rupees 35,000 crore on vaccines and medical infrastructure will indirectly boost medical tourism. Rupees 15,700 crore for the ministry of micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) may help a few small operators indirectly too.”
Tags: travel industry
