3 lakh may lose jobs in tourism sector

Over 3 lakh people who work in the tourism industry of the country might lose their jobs by July this season as a result of coronavirus pandemic, according to an estimate by Pacific Asia Travel Association.

On Saturday, the association held an online press briefing where its executive board member and Bangladesh chapter chairman Shahid Hamid shared a bleak prospect of the industry because of this year.

He feared that about 1.5 lakh persons might lose jobs in the food services and 1 lakh in the hotel and resort services if the coronavirus crisis persisted for long.

Saying that the industry might face a lack of Tk 10,000 crore, he urged the government to supply interest-free loan of Tk 3,000 crore to the industry stakeholders to greatly help them overcome the crisis.

He needed an sufficient allocation for the industry in the national budget in the fiscal year, 2020-21.

He also urged all owners of various establishments in the industry not to sack their staff amid the crisis.