Al Amin :
The country is counting huge losses as a standstill situation is prevailing in the tourism sector since the outbreak of the Covid-19.
Despite the stagnation in the sector over the past few months, no specific direction has been given by the government, there is a little reflection in the recent budget to sustain the sector and the sector is still neglected in terms of government assistance, insiders alleged.
In the current fiscal year, the government allocated only Tk 5 lakh and 7 thousand crore for the Civil Aviation and Tourism sector. Although the allocation has been increased by Tk 262 crore this year, but it is not enough to meet the demand, they said.
According to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, the country counts around Tk 14000 crore losses in the sector so far as it is facing the worst setback due to corona pandemic.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Tourism Board said about 4 million people involved in this sector have become unemployed and at least one and a half crore people who depend on them are in terrible situation.
The Pacific Asia Travels Association also said the country’s tourism industry has lost about Tk 10,000 crore from January to June.
Under the situation, the experts have emphasized on ensuring loan facilities with easy terms and conditions to keep the sector revive.
Ranjana Saumi and her business partner have been operating two resorts in Sylhet and Khagrachari for the past few years. They earlier had thought that they will be able to make a good profit from the potential sector. But the outbreak of the coronavirus at the beginning of this has ruined everything.
“I have done all the investment. But there has been no income since March. Still I have to pay maintain expenditure. So, I was forced to lay off the employees. Like me, those, who have a couple of cottages and dependent of them, their livelihood is very miserable condition,” said Saumi.
“We are counting huge losses due to break down. We will not be able to stand again without the government’s special consideration,” said Md Rafeuzzaman, President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOBA).
Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel and Guesthouse Officers’ Association on Monday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through the district administration, seeking her permission on reopening business establishments and tourist spots in the coastal area.
Subir Chowdhury Badal, President of the association, handed over the memorandum to Mohammad Ashraful Afsar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) of Cox’s Bazar.
The government, however, is planning to reopen a limited number of tourist spots as soon as possible.
Mahibul Haque, Senior Secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, also said that a policy would be formulated on how hotels, restaurants and tourists spots will be run.
Besides, the businesses involved in this sector can take mortgage loans from banks if they want, he added.
Underscoring formulation of strong policy, Samshad Nawrin, Assistant Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management Department of Dhaka University, said, “If the investors have insurance or they have special arrangement from stimulus package, it would have been possible to sustain the livelihood of many people.”
“Many sectors of the country’s economy are linked with the tourism. So, there is no chance to underestimate it,” she added.
