The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our lives and livelihood in a big way. It has had a profound social and economic impact on the world. Billions of people have dropped below the poverty line. The tourism sector has also suffered a lot. Millions of organizations, enterprises and individuals are associated with this sector. The tourism and travel industry, one of the sectors hit hard by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, estimates its loss at Tk 114 billion possible loss till the middle of 2021. The sector insiders said many tour operators, hotels, resorts, airlines and catering services where some four million people are involved are now struggling to survive. The depressing situation of this sector is also reflected in the government’s travel tax collection. The tax revenue from it during the immediate past financial year was the lowest in the last five years.

Considering risk factors, banks were not willing to provide loans to the tour operators, as there were travel restrictions in many of the countries across the world. On the other hand, the main source of travel tax is outbound passengers. It is mandatory for the outbound passengers, except for infants, from Bangladesh to pay travel tax at certain rates for traveling by air, land or sea.Considering risk factors, banks were not willing to provide loans to the tour operators, as there were travel restrictions in many of the countries across the world. On the other hand, the main source of travel tax is outbound passengers. It is mandatory for the outbound passengers, except for infants, from Bangladesh to pay travel tax at certain rates for traveling by air, land or sea.