Lok Sabha Question No. 184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Assessment of Tourism Sector after Covid-19 Pandemic
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Anto  Antony, Kirron  Kher, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sougata Ray, Talari Rangaiah, Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari, Sudheer Gupta, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.184 ANSWERED ON 14.09.2020

## ASSESSMENT OF TOURISM SECTOR AFTER COVID-19 PANDEMIC

## 184.  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

PROF. SAUGATA RAY:

SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH:

SHRI N. REDDEPPA:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY:

SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

## Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  tourism  sector  has  been  badly  affected  due  to Covid-19 pandemic and if so, the details thereof along with the guidelines  issued  by  the  Government  to  ensure  safe  tourism practices;
- (b) whether the Government has undertaken any study to estimate the losses including revenue and jobs in the tourism sector  as  a  result  of  the  Covid-19  pandemic  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  announce  economic package  for  the  revival  of  tourism  industry  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representations from the tourism industry regarding relaxation of moratorium and other provisions and if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government in this regard; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  come  up  with  any  alternate arrangements in the light of the pandemic to ensure that India becomes  a  leading tourist destination once  international flights  are  resumed  on  a  regular  basis  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- Yes, Sir. The sector has been severely impacted by the Corona
- (a): pandemic.
- (b): 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 and jobs. In view of the highly unorganized nature of the sector, the impact in numerical terms can only be ascertained in due course.
- Various  agencies/Ministries  of  the  Government  of  India  have
- (c): announced  stimulus packages which are 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.
- (d): All  the  prominent  stakeholders   including  the  CII  and  FAITH have given representations regarding relaxation of moratorium and other  provisions  which  are  being  taken  up  with  the  concerned Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and The States/UTs on a regular basis.
- (e): In order to tap  international tourists, the Ministry of Tourism through the India Tourism Offices overseas proposes to undertake various promotional activities which include participation in travel fairs  and  exhibitions;  advertising  in  the  local  print,  electronic, outdoor and digital media; organizing webinars to highlight success stories around COVID-19 in India to build confidence among foreign tour operators and travellers, organizing Road Shows, India Evenings, Know  India  Seminars  &  workshops;  organizing  and supporting  Indian  Food  Festivals  and  cultural  festivals;  offering brochure  support  to  tour operators, and  joint advertising/joint promotions  with  airlines,  tour  operators  and  other  organizations, joint  promotions  in  collaboration  with  the  Indian  Missions  abroad etc.

The Ministry has undertaken the following activities / initiatives to promote Domestic Tourism:

- i.
- Dekho Apna Desh webinars,
- ii. Aerial  Photography  of  key  cities  and  cultural  assets  (Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata,  Mumbai,  Bengaluru,  Udupi,  Aurangabad, Iconic Tourist sites) across the country during lockdown.
- iii. regular  consultations  with  industry  stakeholders     on  issues related to opening up of Tourism sector,
- iv. handling  of  tourists,  protocols  of  safety  and  security,  service standards etc.
- v. Domestic  Tourism  Promotion  Campaign  through  Webinars, social media and other digital platforms.

Dekho Apna Desh Campaign has been the mainstay of Domestic Promotion. The main focus is to rebuild the trust of the domestic & international travelers in terms of India being the safe destination to travel in post Covid scenario.

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