TravTalk India Online Magazine
The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has reached out to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Union Tourism Minister and the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory seeking help and relief for the island’s travel trade. The second wave of the virus has been especially devastating.
Manas Dwivedi
In a letter to the administration, government and the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), M Vinod, President, AATO and President, IATTE (Andaman Chapter) first appreciated that efforts of the Andaman & Nicobar administration for adopting proactive measures in containing the menace of the COVID-19 in the second wave. However, he emphasised that the second wave has wreaked havoc nationwide and has caused double the damage to an already-crippled tourism industry of the islands that had barely revived in the beginning of this year.
“With bankruptcies, unemployment and closure of businesses around once again, the impact this time is so grave that without government intervention and urgent aid, the lone industry of the islands shall wither. In the face of adversity striking us again, with folded hands, I, on behalf of the tourism industry, once again seek the urgent implementation of various measures to succour us. Prevailing circumstances is beyond anyone’s control and has rendered the whole industry helpless. The trauma this wave of despair shall leave will be long lasting,” he said. The measures suggested by the Association include term loans and overdraft facility among others.
Some suggested measures
All EMIs be deferred for a period of 1 year. After a period of 1 year, all such loans may have their interest rates slashed to half the levied rate at the time of sanction of such loans.
All travel & tourism-related businesses be exempt from GST for a period of 3 years till March 2024.
All tourism establishments that have their government permits/ license renewals from Directorate of Tourism, PMB, DSS, Forest, PBMC, ZSI etc. be automatically renewed till 31st March 2022 subject to an undertaking from the owner that all norms have been complied with. These renewals may kindly be put on fast track mode through single window system.
Any and all fees/charges/rents levied by the government bodies such as municipals, panchayats etc on tourism establishments be waived off for a period of 1 year starting from 1st April 2021 for existing as well as upcoming establishments. The same may be done for the previous financial year due to the closure of tourism last year.
Port charges be waived off for a period of 1 year starting from 1st April 2021 for all private boats operating in the islands under IV or MS Act. The same may be done for the previous financial year due to the closure of tourism last year.
The technical Human Resource that are engaged in IV vessels/adventure water sports activities owned by private firms/individuals that have their competency licences/certificates such as Power Boat Handling, Life Saving Techniques, First Aid, CPR, Parasailing master, SLST etc due for renewal in the next 1 year starting from 1st April 2021 may have their license renewal fees waived off.
Registration certificates/form 12/form 12A/form 8 of IV vessels be automatically renewed till 31st March 2022.
