It is good to note that the government has created a stimulus package of Tk 1,000 crore for the country’s Covid-19 hit tourism sector. As reported by this daily on Saturday, the stimulus package announced by the central bank recently, is expected to help the sector overcome the fallouts of Covid-19 that have severely affected tourism and hospitality.
Reportedly, in order to ensure proper disbursement of the refinance fund, the central bank has also asked commercial banks to set the loan disbursement target from the refinance fund on their own and send it to the Bangladesh Bank’s banking regulations and policy department by July 25.
The government should frame a specific
and comprehensive plan to revive the tourism
sector
Hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, tour operators, tourist vehicles and vessels and private airlines remain closed due to the lockdown announced to prevent covid-19 spreading. The tourism sector incurred a massive loss of Tk 26, 490 crore last year, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report says, adding over 4 lakh people involved in it lost their jobs. Besides, a large number of employees are not getting salaries from the employers.
It is worth mentioning that the tourism sector plays a vital role in our economic growth and contribute to the development of rural areas. Our tourism sector needs assistance to overcome the ongoing situation. After the first wave of Covid-19, the sector was trying to recover some damage through domestic tourism, but due to the second wave of coronavirus, the industry again fell into serious uncertainty.
We know Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is keeping a sharp eye on the present Covid-19 situation and has been taking measures whatever necessary to protect tourism sector like other from the onslaught of the pandemic. Sheikh Hasina has announced various stimulus packages to offset the possible adverse impact on the economy due to the nationwide shutdown. Therefore, we think the government should frame a specific and comprehensive plan right now that how and in what way the tourism sector can survive defying all odds.