The Imo Hoteliers Association has decried rising activities of touts imposing illegal taxation on its members in the State.
It called for the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma’s intervention in order to save the tourism industry from imminent collapse.
Chairman of the Association, Mr. Chima Chukwunyere made this call on Friday in Owerri, capital of the State, in his interaction with newsmen.
Chukwunyere regretted that despite the fact that the State had stopped the activities of revenue consultants, the menace has worsened.
He said, “the touts had returned to Imo, extorting unsuspecting hotel owners and frustrating the tourism industry, the second largest employers of labour in the State after the State government.
“We are grateful to Gov. Uzodimma for coming to our aid, in recognition of our contribution to the State’s economy, when he disengaged revenue consultants in the State.
“It is rather unfortunate that revenue touts have returned to Imo, sabotaging the State government’s efforts to sanitise revenue collection. This is why we are calling on the Governor to intervene again “.
