Govt. assures continuity of relief packages to tourism industry

Tuesday, 3 November 2020 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ministry working with stakeholders to establish alternate income generation methods

The Government yesterday assured that the relief packages including debt moratorium introduced to the tourism sector, the worst impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, would continue until there was proper recovery. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that two Cabinet papers were submitted to assist the tourism industry that was badly affected by COVID-19, while the assistance given to the industry post-Easter Sunday was also extended further for a period of one year.

Accordingly, those entities that were registered with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) as of March 2019 were provided a loan with 4% interest without any collateral to pay salaries of those engaged in hotels, destination management companies (DMCs) and staff of travel agencies. In addition, they have been granted a two-year grace period to repay the debt within a five-year period.

The Minister also said a similar credit faculty had been made available for tourist-friendly restaurants, massage and wellness centres, spice gardens and water sports centres to pay salaries to employees of institutions registered under the SLTDA.

Further, another one year’s grace period has been given to those entities to settle their water and electricity bills.

In addition, SLTDA registered tour guides and chauffeur drivers have been granted an allowance of Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 respectively. For this purpose, the Government has already spent Rs. 39.2 million. Ranatunga said that this one-time allowance had been disbursed with the help from Provincial Councils.

Moreover, all tourist vehicles that were obtained through leases have been granted a one-year grace period to settle the dues.

The Tourism Minister assured that they were working on alternate income generating methods for those engaged in the tourism industry, while assuring the continuation of the assistance already outlined by the Government until the industry recovers.