Govt should help hospitality sector with concessions on electricity tariff: Riaz Ahmed

The hospitality sector has to focus on survival first. When the pandemic subsides, Kerala can evolve a marketing campaign around how well the state has tackled the health crisis, thus boosting the confidence of the tourists. Of course, as a tourism destination there is still a lot to learn and improve. Waste management is one such area, says Riaz Ahmed, industry veteran and managing director of Abad Hotels & Resorts. With regard to Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2020, he said no decision has been reached. If it gets postponed, it may be good to hold it in mid 2021, he said. Excerpts from an interview:

Q: The corona virus pandemic has hit the global economy hard. Sectors such as travel and hospitality have been the biggest victims of this crisis. What’s your assessment of the current situation? How much time will it take for us to see a turnaround in fortunes?

A. Tourism is the first to bear the brunt of the pandemic and probably will be the last to get out of it. Our Industry has been hit hard. Everything has come to a standstill. As far as hotel sector is concerned, huge investments that are at stake – loans have to be serviced, salaries need to be paid, statutories have to be met. Overheads like housekeeping and maintenance continue, even when the property is shut. Nobody is sure when the respite would be. The lock-down may extend for a couple of months more. But recovery will take much longer. The main focus now is on survival.

Q: Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2020 is one of the biggest events on the annual tourism chart. In the light of the present situation, do you think it would be possible to conduct the event on time?

A. Just before the last KTM, we had faced unprecedented floods, but our apprehensions were belayed when the Mart was held successfully. However it’s a global disaster that we are facing now and the organising committee has to take a call on whether it is feasible to go ahead this year. Many international events have either been cancelled or postponed.

Q: In case the Managing Committee of KTM decides to postpone the event, what possible date or period would you suggest for the smooth conduct of the event?

A. In case of postponement, mid-2021 would be ideal as there had been a suggestion earlier to conduct the mart well ahead of the season.

Q: Would you like to suggest suitable changes to the structure of the event, keeping in mind the crisis in tourism brought about by the pandemic? If yes, what could be those changes?

A. KTM has been evolving over the years and successive marts have improved over the previous ones. The decision to go ahead with KTM 2018, in spite of just recovering from the floods paid off handsomely boosting buyer confidence in the destination. KTM is today technology based with online registrations of buyers, booking of stalls as well as appointments. Marketing is also online. Focus is on attracting genuine buyers both international and domestic and provide exhibition space to all members. KTM has initiated responsible tourism chapters in key tourism destinations. It is also emerging as a spoke person for the Kerala tourism industry.

Q: Considering the fact that Kerala has handled the health crisis very well under the leadership of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, how do you think Kerala Tourism can take some advantage of this? For instance, the world has taken note of the fact that Kerala has a robust health system. This definitely can boost our tourism brand as all tourists would love to visit a state with excellent healthcare. Your thoughts on this please.

A. Kerala Government is doing remarkably well in dealing with the pandemic. Our experience with the previous menaces has made us resilient and better prepared to face this calamity. Timely action and robust health care infrastructure built up over the years are helping us to withstand the new challenge. God’s Own Country can proudly claim its place in the global health care map. The care and hospitality extended to stranded travelers will indeed help us to gain a lot of goodwill. We can also base our campaign on these lines too.

Q: What relief measures can the government provide in terms of electricity subsidy? The hospitality industry is hit hard by the high tension monthly tariff. Don’t you think the government should help the hospitality sector regarding this, especially when there is hardly any business?

A. Entrepreneurs definitely require the support of the Government to overcome economic difficulties faced by them. Government should help by way of concessions in electricity tariffs and on fixed charges. As all properties are locked down, the electricity billing should be on actual usage. Soft loans can also be considered to tide over the current situation and also lower interest rates on already availed loans of KSIDC and KFC. So far relief offered by the central government has been inadequate and a comprehensive package is awaited.

Q: You have seen how tourism has grown across the world. Which are the countries that Kerala can learn from, to improve as a tourism destination of choice? And what could those lessons be?

A. Chinese are the largest contingent of tourists today, but we are yet to tap it. Japan and South Korea are potential markets. Good air connectivity from Singapore and Malaysia have been helpful in attracting visitors from these countries and also connecting visitors from earlier mentioned places as well as Australia. Europe, UK and USA are traditional markets and Middle East and South Africa show a lot of promise. Of course, domestic market rules the roost.

Waste management is a worrying issue. It is not that we aren’t aware, It’s our attitude that’s needs a change. The clutter of waste thrown on the roadsides is an example of this callousness. Today there is less filth around. Let us keep this up in the aftermath too. Sri lanka, which has a similar topography as ours, has kept its streets and tourist areas very clean. We can emulate them in this. Strict vigilance and fines maybe necessary to enforce it in the beginning. A clean environment would have a lasting impression.

Q: What are your aspirations regarding Kerala Travel Mart (KTM)? What are some of its biggest objectives? Are you satisfied with the way in which KTM has been growing over the years? What would be the next steps in its growth plan?

A. KTM is a unique platform based on public private participation, where all tourism stake holders of Kerala get together. Earlier it was only meant to conduct a mart every alternative year, but today, it has evolved as a representative of the tourism and travel trade of Kerala. KTM aims to provide all its members an opportunity to present their product to the buyer. On this aspect it has been a success. However it is up to the exhibitors to fix appointments and present their product effectively, thus converting it to business. The increasing participation of buyers and sellers over the years is a testimony of the relevance and success of the concept. KTM is today looked up to as a model to be emulated by the tourism fraternity of our country. While we are facing a great challenge, we can console ourselves that our destination will regain its pristine nature and with a little help from the Government, we will be back with a bang.