The Government of Kerala has decided to defer the payment of fixed charges for electricity for six months for hotels and resorts as an immediate relief for the tourism industry in the state that was severely affected by COVID 19 breakout bringing it to a standstill.
In a message to the tourism industry, Ms. Rani George, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, said that the Department of Tourism has prepared a proposal with short-term, mid- term and long-term strategies and discussions were being held with relevant departments consequent to requests from the industry for a revival package.
“One of the requests was the waiver of fixed charges for electricity and the Government of Kerala has decided to defer the payment of fixed charges for electricity for six months, which Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, the Honourable Chief Minister, announced on Tuesday. Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Honourable Minister for Tourism Cooperation and Dewasoms, had held a discussion with the Chairman of KSEB on the matter.”
The tourism industry had requested for waiver of fixed charges, but as it was fixed charge for contracted demand, KSEB has to make this payment to the suppliers. “We have informed the KSEB that unlike industries, the recovery of hotels and resorts in the tourism industry will be delayed as it will take time for tourists’ arrivals. So we could request for an option for instalments for the deferred payment of fixed charges,” the tourism secretary said.
“Regarding soft loans for the employees and other loan schemes, the Minister has held discussions with KSCB and schemes are being worked out. The other components in the proposal which the government would address are also under discussion.” Ms. George said.
The tourism industry in the state, which was the first sector to be affected by the outbreak of COVID 19, had called for various reliefs and also a revival package as entrepreneurs and employees in the sector were faced with a crisis that would extend for another few months. The industry, naturally, would be the last to recover as tourists need to gain confidence for travel after the containment of COVID 19.
As a major contributor to the GDP of Kerala and as a sector providing employment to around 1.5 million people in the State, it was essential that Kerala Tourism recovered at the earliest. Being aware of the situation, the Government was considering other proposals and would extend all possible support, she said.
The joint efforts of the Department of Tourism and the various stakeholders in the tourism industry had revived Kerala Tourism after the massive floods of 2018 and the industry bounced back with a high growth rate thanks to the strategic planning and implementation.
Ms. George hoped that the industry would tide over the present crisis too with the public-private partnership and focused marketing strategies that had been the success model of Kerala Tourism. Though the priority for all now was health, the livelihood of those engaged in the tourism industry was also equally important, the tourism secretary said.
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https://tourismindiaonline.com/future-proofing-travel-and-tourism/
