Covid19: FTAN complains to the Federal Government over the lack of support for tourism businesses and the creative arts

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), has appealed to the Federal Government

 for urgent support for the hospitality, tourism, and creative industry to cushion the impact of the

 pandemic on operators in the sectors.

The association said the government should extend its stimulus fund to operators in the sector just as it has done for the Aviation, Transport, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Health sectors in the country noting that the tourism, and creative industry sectors and are yet to benefit from the numerous Support packages for the various sectors of the Economy which Some Sectors have already enjoyed.

According to a statement signed by the President, FTAN, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, most investors in the sectors have not been able to re-open shops since the ease of the lock-down.

He said: “As a follow-up on our earlier position on the urgent need of support for the Hospitality, Tourism and Creative Industry, we wish to remind the Honourable Minister that investors in the industry are Still Struggling and are yet to benefit from the numerous Support packages for the various sectors of the Economy which Some Sectors have already enjoyed.

“It is important to re-emphasize the adverse effect of the pandemic on our businesses. Most investors in the sectors have not been able to re-open shops since the ease of the lock-down.

“Other sectors like Aviation, Transport, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Health have long benefitted from the diverse stimulus as provided by the Federal Government and as a result, their businesses have started picking up. None has come to the Hospitality, Tourism, and Creative industries.

“While we appreciate the Implementation Committee for the Post Covid-19 Initiative set up by the Honourable Minister and their final report, we call on the Honourable Minister to use his Good office to find a solution and way out for the industry just as done to other sectors of the economy.

The Sector really needs Help and Support to get back to Life.

“Our members will be needing assistance through all or some of the following:

• Stimulus Package Similar to those Granted other Sectors.

• Single Digit/Interest-free loans: To provide fiscal support through the provision of Single Digit/Interest-free loans to Tourism and Hospitality businesses to enable them to maintain equipment, pay for utilities, and other areas that need urgent financial attention.

• Loan Moratorium: To interface with Central Bank of Nigeria through banks to give Tourism and Hospitality operators, at least, Eighteen (18) months moratorium.

• Provision of Grants.

Young Start-Ups in the Tourism Space have been Wiped out would need Some Form of Grant to Rebuild their Businesses.

We look forward to an early response to our request to enable us to come back to business as the economy has fully re-opened.

Curled:atqnews.com