Lok Sabha Question No. 187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Economic Stimulus Package for Revival of Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Bhola Singh, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Prathap Simha, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Manickam Tagore B, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Sukanta Majumdar, Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.187 ANSWERED ON 14.09.2020

## ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR REVIVAL OF TOURISM SECTOR

## 187.  SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

SHRIMATI SANAGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  tourism  and  travel  industry  has  been  worst affected by lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  inflow  of  foreign  tourist  in  the  country  has  been severely  affected  due  to  Covid-19  and  if  so,  the  details  of estimated loss of foreign exchange;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  provided  any  compensation  or stimulus package to provide relief to the tourism sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has received proposals from various States for increased allocation of funds for development and promotion of tourism in view of the covid-19 pandemic along with the response of the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether the Government has framed any guidelines for Hotels and  tourism  industry  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to compensate the tourism industry by other methods like tax rebate or reduced liability on terms of Employee Provident Fund and more and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

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

- Covid-19 pandemic.

No formal study  has  been  instituted  for  assessment  of  the impact  on  the  Tourism  sector  and  job  losses.  However,  several rounds  of  discussions  and  brainstorming  sessions  with  industry stakeholders indicate massive loss of revenue, foreign exchange and jobs. In view of the highly unorganized nature of the sector, the  impact  in  numerical  terms  can  only  be  ascertained  in  due course.

- (c)  to  (f):  The  stimulus  packages  announced  by  the  various agencies and ministries of Government of India are outlined as under:
-  RBI has extended moratorium on term loans till 31 st  August 2020.
-  The  government  has  further  announced  Atmanirbhar  Bharat Package vide  which  Rs  3  lakh  crore  collateral  free  automatic loan has been made available for MSMEs. The loan will have 4year tenure and will have 12-month moratorium.
- The Government waived off PF contribution for three months for organizations with less than 100 pax and 90% employees having salary below Rs.15000. Under Atmanirbhar Bharat package, PF contribution of both employer and employee has been reduced to  10%  each  from  existing  12%  each  for  all  establishments covered by EPFO for the next three months i.e. up to September
-  2020.
-  Deferment of TCS upto October 2020.
-  Return filing deferred for three months with no penal interest for companies upto 5 Crore, rest @ 9% penal interest.
-  The  Central  government  has  also  given  relief  from  various regulatory compliances under Income Tax Act, companies Act and GST Act for varying period in the wake of COVID-19 crisis to ensure business continuity and survival.

The Ministry  of  Tourism  has  not  received  any  proposal  from any  state  for  increased  allocation  of  funds  for  development  and promotion of tourism in view of the covid-19 pandemic.

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 30 th  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.

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