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 COVID-19 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.