PANAJI
The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has appealed to the government of Goa to waive off various taxes like house tax, sanitation tax, trade tax, signboard tax applicable to resorts, small standalone hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, night clubs and shacks for the period of April 1 to March 31, 2022.
Pointing out that the tourism and hospitality industry is one of the worst-hit on account of the pandemic, as it resulted in a loss of business with less or no occupancy since the beginning of March 2020, GCCI has asked the government to waive off the taxes.
Last year’s tourist season also went low, though the arrival of domestic tourists had begun in October and the industry had started looking up, but again in February, the second wave hit, affecting in a more disastrous way than the earlier one.
“With flights suspended and advisories from the authorities of overseas countries against visiting the country the industry is facing a grim situation, the effect of which will be devastating for the economy of the state," asserts Manoj Caculo, the president of GCCI.
He points out that the tourism and hospitality industry has been one of the cornerstones of the economy, especially after the stoppage of mining in the State.
“Since tourism is a seasonal sensitive industry, even if the spread of the virus is controlled, the tourists will not travel. The World Health Organization has made it clear the threat may continue for a few more months, and be an impediment worldwide. It will take at least a year for the tourism industry to recover and be back on its feet,” stated Caculo.
Pointing out that the State of Gujarat has already taken measures to alleviate the sufferings of the tourism and hospitality sector as a whole, GCCI president asserted that the industry has been one of the major contributors to the growth of the State, and hence the government should take note of its plight.
“Goa government should take all precautionary steps to protect the industry from collapsing as along with the stakeholders there are thousands of jobs, the survival of which is at risk,” appeals Caculo who suggests that the government must waive off various taxes levied on the tourism and hospitality sector till March 2022.
