[1]Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) today said the Uttarakhand hospitality and tourism industry should be given a comprehensive relief package in the wake of the natural calamity in the state.
“FHRAI makes an urgent appeal to the Union government and financial institutions to formulate a comprehensive relief package for the state’s hospitality and tourism industry, in the form of loan waivers, tax exemptions and subsidies etc,” FHRAI honorary secretary Vijai Pande said.
This will be vital to allow this key industry to cope with the adverse impact of this ‘colossal tragedy’ and stand on its feet again, he added.
“The economy of Uttarakhand is heavily dependant on tourism as its mainstay. This recent disaster and its continuing aftermath has dealt a severe blow to the state’s hospitality and tourism industry, which comprises mostly of small and mid-sized establishments,” Pande said.
The sector faces a perilous future, which also threatens the livelihoods of lakhs of people, he added.
FHRAI is the apex body of the four regional associations representing the hospitality industry. It has more than 3,824 members comprising around 2,484 hotels, 1,204 restaurants and 132 associate members.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/p9jpg-317