Exempt pandemic-hit tourism and hospitality industry from various taxes, says Goa trade and industry body-GCCI

Prakash Kamat

Panaji, June11-  Stating that the tourism and hospitality industry is one of the worst sufferers on account of the spread of pandemic as a result of which the hotels / resorts are running empty without much occupancy since the beginning of March last year, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI) has  asked the government o exempt it from payment of taxes.

The industry had started looking up since the start of the tourist season in October mostly due to the arrival of domestic tourists but the situation reversed from February this year due to the second wave of the pandemic and its effect was  much more disastrous than the earlier one. With flights suspended and advisories from the authorities of overseas countries against visiting the country the industry is facing a grim situation the effect of which will be ravaging for the economy of the State.

Reiterating that the tourism and hospitality industry is one of the cornerstones of economy, especially after stoppage of mining in the State and it is the onus of the government to nurture it and keep it in the best of its health, says GCCI.

It is a seasonal sensitive industry depending upon perception. Even if the spread of the virus is controlled, still the tourist will not travel on account of perceived health hazards as the World Health Organization has made it clear the threat realization will continue for a few more months thereafter which will be an impediment to the travel by tourists worldwide. It will therefore take at least a year for the tourism industry to recover and be back on its feet. 

In view of the grave situation we from GCCI has urged the government to kindly consider the  following pleas:

i) Waive off the House Tax, Sanitation Tax, Trade Tax, Sign board Tax etc.

applicable to Resorts ,Small standalone Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Pubs,

Night Clubs ,and Shacks for the period of 1 st April 2021 to 31 st March 2022.

The GCCI has said that the State of Gujarat has already taken such a step to alleviate the sufferings of the tourism and hospitality sector as a whole. This industry being on one of the major contributor to the growth of the State and the government takes note of its plight and take all precautionary steps to protect it from collapsing. Along with the stakeholders there are thousands of jobs, the survival of which is at risk.(eom)