Tourism in India amid COVID: The global COVID pandemic has wreaked havoc on the travel industry, with tourism taking the bulk of the impact. As 2021 ended on a more positive note, with ongoing vaccination efforts around the world and people resuming their travel plans, then came Omicron, a new COVID strain that has upended all those preparations.Also Read – After weekend curfew is lifted, is Karnataka planning to revise COVID-19 restrictions further? CM Bommai Drops Index
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday the country had worked diligently over the past seven years to realize the potential of tourism. The statement was welcomed by India’s tourism industry and its overseas partners that tourism will quickly rebound. “Being the leading body representing the travel and tourism fraternity wishes to express its gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government for speaking the much needed words at a opportune time when the sector is struggling to survive through confusing protocols and no clear direction on support and recovery,” said Jyoti Mayal, President of TAAI. Read also – Glossary of the 2022 budget: the main economic terms decoded to understand the speech of FM Nirmala Sitharaman
“The industry currently needs more than words and an effective recovery package as a whole, rather than just MoT, MSMEs, MoCA, MEA, MoF etc. Why do we need to move from pillar in office as the most relevant sector to get clear direction as we all, including the Prime Minister, recognize the importance of this sector and its direct impact on economic growth and the creation of multi-value jobs ?” she added. Read also – COVID-19 and breastfeeding: study finds NO evidence of infection transmitted through breastfeeding
TAAI Chairman believes that Indian tourism is poised to become the next global growth engine, combining tourism, technology and technical skills.
Here are 4 reasons why tourism is India’s next growth engine:
1. Travel agents and tour operators are an industry in their own right
The function and responsibilities of the agent/operator have increased considerably due to the increase in air traffic and the continuous development of new airports and tourist infrastructures. Rather than just making reservations, they are a value-added facilitator of travel and tourism. Whether improving travel protocols, hygiene, safety or health, the enabler is the face of the aviation and tourism industries’ efforts to achieve long-term inclusive growth.
2. Immediate focus on reviving the tourism industry after the pandemic
India’s aviation and tourism industries require a powerful long-term recovery strategy, and their immediate objective is to recover India’s tourism industry from the epidemic and move forward with socio-economic contribution. to the Indian economy and on the world stage.
3. Potential to enter the league of tourism, technology and technical skills
Indian tourism has the potential to become the largest inbound, domestic and even export tourism market in the world, as well as the greatest crossroads between East and West. After the IT industry, Indian tourism is poised to become the next global growth engine, combining tourism, technology and technical skills.
4. Orientation of the vision and mission of the tourism sector with the government
TAAI’s vision and mission are all in line with those of the government, and they promise full support and cooperation to the Indian travel industry and community. However, Joyti Mayal believes that an effective task force, led by the Prime Minister, is needed to develop a strong and collaborative long-term recovery strategy for India’s aviation and tourism industries.
