Bengaluru: The State Government has given a bumper gift to the worst-hit hotel industry due to COVID-19 pandemic in the last ten months. Accordingly, the State Cabinet has decided to give concession in property tax and electricity charges of hotel industry in a bid to boost the sulking tourism industry. 

Presided over by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the Cabinet resolved to extend this rebate to the Central Government-approved star categorised hotels. 

With hotels getting industry status, the star categorised hotels would get this benefit for the next five years. The rebate was applicable even for property tax. The sops have been announced with a view to prevent further closure of hotels due to COVID-19 effect.

Sharing information with media, Tourism Minister C.P. Yogeeshwar said the rebate announced by the Government with regard to property tax and electricity charges would really help in the recovery of hotel industry that had been hit hard by pandemic. Besides, Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-25 would go a long way in helping this ailing industry. The sops were not only given to hotels alone but also extended for the customers.

He said Karnataka Government has asked the Uttar Pradesh counterpart to give 10 acres of land in Ayodhya to build Karnataka Tourism Bhavan on the lines of Tirupati and Delhi.