Leh, Jan 12, 2021: A large delegation of Ladakh Tourist Trade Alliance representing all the tourism-related business in Leh including hotel, guest house, travel agency, taxi, tempo traveler, horses / pony (Stapa), guide and bike unions headed by chairman Ladakh Tourist Trade Alliance (LTTA) P.T Kunzang called upon Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyalson atCouncil Secretariat Leh today. He requested LAHDC Leh’s intervention in granting of an economic relief package from the Government of India (GoI) for the survival of the tourism industry in Ladakh.
The delegation apprised CEC in detail that the tourism industry is a major contributor to the economy of Ladakh which provides employment and livelihood to a number of unemployed youths. They said that the entire business chain of the tourism industry is at a risk of closure if the government does not extend their support during this difficult phase and requested CEC Gyalson to take up the issue with the Central Government to provide a stimulus for survival, revival, and growth of the tourism industry of Ladakh which is contributing about 60% of the economy of Ladakh with an approximate 600 crores plus annual turnover.
The tourism industry have faced problems since 2019 due to the General election, travel advisories by the Embassies, Pulwama strike and the news of Airspace closure for 3 months. In addition to it, Jet-Airways getting grounded and airfares getting expensive, Indo-China border standoff in Ladakh and Covid-19 pandemic affecting the tourism industry at large. The delegation informed the CEC and added that the tourism sector of Ladakh has suffered for almost two years now and we believe that it will take a minimum of two years to bounce back.
The delegation demanded waiving-off of all types of commercial loans for the tourism industry, reimbursement of the state component of the GST, banks to provide OD/CC/Loans with longer moratoriums and interest fee working capital on existing and new loans, In a bid to revive the tourism industry the delegation also requested for a complete withdrawal of GST from 2021 up to two years from the commencement of stabilization of effect of COVID-19.
The delegation said that Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha has announced a Rs. 1,350 crore economic package in a bid to boost tourism and other sectors impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and hoped that the Central Government announces a relief package on similar lines for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
CEC Gyalson giving very patient hearing to the demands of Ladakh Tourist Trade Alliance said that LAHDC, Leh is fully aware of the difficulties being faced by the tourism industry of Ladakh and added that Hill Council Leh has already taken up the demands and issues with the finance minister Government of India (GoI), concerned ministry and Hon’ble LG Ladakh, R.K Mathur. He assured the delegation that the Council will follow-up with the genuine issues and demands including granting of economic relief package for the tourism industry of Ladakh with all higher authorities at the centre and state level.
