Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: In a meeting of All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA) held through video conference, the chairman, Inderjeet Khajuria expressed serious concern over the engulfing impact of Corona pandemic but hailed timely action and steps taken by J&K Govt in combating the menace of Coronavirus by enforcing lockdown in advance and saving precious lives.
Pawan Gupta, President of the Association said that hotel Industry which was already on ventilator due to extension of train service from Jammu to Katra, is going to bear the brunt of COVID pandemic and ongoing lockdown for a longer time and even after lifting of lockdown, there is no imminent start up of international, national and local tourism.
He further said that tourism fraternity (i.e., hoteliers, travel agents, dhabawallas, dealers dealing in shawls and handicrafts, dry fruits, taxis and auto-rickshaws, etc) which was already under financial stress has been further hit badly by Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown and its consequences will be worse in upcoming days with more challenges due to zero tourism in future.
Gupta praised the Central Government initiative of giving some relief package in terms of bank loan repayments and financial help to needy people and appealed the State Government to give special relief package for the revival and survival of tourism sector by waiving off electricity, water and municipal charges for at least one year since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and monthly financial assistance for the staff and interest free loans to tourist units for their sustenance. He further pleaded to formulate an effective policy to bring back the tourism industry to its original track and glory. Others office bearers present were HS Manhas, Anil Khajuria, Pritam Sharma, Baldev Raj and ML Sharma.
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