FAITH (Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality) has asked for support from the Ministry Of Commerce during the ongoing pandemic. The association wants support in the form of rating the SEIS @ 10% and crediting it immediately on the basis of previous financial year, deemed export status, SEIS on gross forex earnings, zero rating of tourism exports & GST refunds to tourists, strategic focus on mice sector, EPCG on tourist vehicles and relaxing export obligations among others.
Need for COVID-19 relief fund for the tourism industry
FAITH has requested the Ministry of Commerce to request Mr. Piyush Goyal, who is both, the Commerce and the Industries Minister to offer survival support for the industry as a whole with the PM. This further includes deferment of all statutory liabilities, setting up a COVID 19 Tourism relief fund, 10-year working capital loan for salaries & establishment costs, an increase of banking moratorium period to 12 months without any interest for or for direct benefit transfer to affected employees and a national legislative tourism task force of central and state governments.
The industry body has also cited examples from the US & UK, Thailand, and Indonesia where salary support, tax exemption and stimulation of domestic travel is being extended by governments for tourism, travel & hospitality. They have also requested PF coverage of all tourism travel & hospitality employees as under the PM Rozgar Pradhan Yojana.
