Coronavirus: Chamber of Tourism demands stimulus package from gov’t

The Chamber for Tourism Industry Ghana is urging the government through the Exim Bank to set aside a supporting fund with less than 3% to support the sector’s revival.

It is also calling for tax cuts or tax delays for businesses in the form of a stimulus package to bring some relief to its members.

The tourism sector could lose about US$200 million within the next month or two if the Coronavirus pandemic continues.

Already, some hotels, restaurants and car rental companies have begun laying off employees, largely contract staff.

The Chamber, in a statement, said though the government has put in place measures so far to curb the continuous spread of the coronavirus, the government must draw a programme to support possible job losses within the sector, as well as a negotiation with the government on the use of some hotels as quarantine centres.

“We need proper research done on job losses and a possible government programme that will support them in the interim as well as a dialogue on using some hotels as centres at a subsidised fee to keep them running”, it pointed out.

The Chamber also stated that it is ready to engage and help organise a consultative meeting with less than 15 people in attendance, prioritising the social distancing measure.

“To avoid a total wreckage of the sector, we must have a consultative meeting between all interested parties including the Ministry of Finance. This will include but not limited to tax cuts or tax delays; how much and for what period of time”, it explained.

The tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors have been the hardest-hit by the pandemic.