Claiming that the hospitality and tourism industry has taken a hard hit during the COVID-19 crisis, JK Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group; Chairman, HRAO and Hony. Secretary, HAI has said that the state government needs to play a greater role in attracting investments from the private sector by providing attractive incentives for a period of at least 3-5 years to make Odisha an attractive destination cometing with other neighbouring states like Kerela, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, etc. “Around five thousand additional number of hotel rooms in different star category should be set up to compete with the hotel infrastructure of the other states of India. We, therefore recommend that the government should allow 30% capital investment subsidy up to a maximum limit of Rs. 25 crores and 5% interest subsidy up to 11 years on repayment of terms loans. If the subsidy is given only for 3 years, many hotels will come up as required,” he added.
