Reviving tourism after the pandemic – The Policy Times

Tourism was one of the most hyper-departments in the world. During the pandemic, the most difficult sector was travel and tourism. That’s because COVID was meant for social distancing, no contact, no in-person meetings, no travel, and no crowds. The sudden change hit like a storm and kept us all in one place. This type of global health emergency has not only impacted the tourism sector alone, it has primarily affected the people and industry associated with it.

Read also : Department of Tourism and Hotel Management Jamia Millia Islamia

TOURISM RENEWAL:

Places that depend on national and international tourist activity need to be revived. But resuscitation is possible only with appropriate measures and precautions. Surviving the business through travel and tourism is a risk when there is no government and public support.

Tourism can be revived little by little, starting with domestic tourism and then negotiating with international regions. In this way, the economy can be improved. Tourism can be done in a coordinated way with more regional coordination.

Since the middle of the pandemic year, there has been a recovery in domestic tourism due to restrictions on international tourism. Domestic tourism has proven to be the main driver of the recovery and has provided much-needed confidence to help the economy of many tourist locations.

The following measures can contribute to the recovery of tourism after the pandemic:

• Full government assistance can lead to economic recovery:

Tourist destinations should be prepared for tourists to visit. Environmental, economic and social goals can be achieved with government assistance.

On June 28, 2021, the government announced a recovery plan to stimulate various sectors of the economy affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and give impetus to development and employment measures.

The package includes a total of 17 milestones in three broad categories, which included “Economic relief from the pandemic, with particular emphasis on the health and recovery of the travel and tourism sectors” and “Impulse for growth and jobs. “.

Additionally, intending to prepare for a post-COVID-19 recovery, the ministry has formulated and issued detailed operational guidelines for Covid safety and hygiene for hotels, restaurants, bed and breakfasts / host families and tourism service providers on 08.06.2020 to facilitate a smooth return to work.

• The recovery of tourism can be strongly helped by clarified measures and the adoption of policies aimed at limiting uncertainty:

There is a great need for proper interaction, well-managed data policy and transparency for areas where there are less travel restrictions and sanitation has been properly managed as these areas can be visited easily.

• Any crisis is the first step to rebuilding a business:

There has been a huge loss in the tourism sector after the COVID-19 pandemic. The vulnerability and shortcomings of tourism activity have been exposed during the pandemic.

There is an urgent need to strengthen the flexibility of the tourism structure to attract more tourists, thereby avoiding future disruptions to the regions. Slow but steady changes must be supported so that tourism can be driven towards a more sustainable project and rectify long-established weaknesses.

• Enhanced multilateral coordination and vital support are key to rejuvenating tourism:

Actions and measures taken by one country have an effect on travelers and businesses in other countries and affect the global tourism system. As the entire world has been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, countries should take collaborative action to resume international tourism, restore travelers, and build trust and demand for tourism worldwide. To prevent future worse conditions, more organized and systematic global coordination systems are needed.

• Support from specific sectors is needed for tourism businesses, tourist areas and to support rapid recovery:

Tourism is one of the most destroyed and broken sectors, and small businesses have been hit hard. The sectors still constrained due to security measures require great attention, as well as the most vulnerable and affected companies.

• The emergency called on the government to work in a coordinated manner and also focused on the importance of combined tourism policies to help recovery:

It is very important that the government supports and manages the devastated tourist services, regions and workers. Government, NGOs and private sectors should reach out at local, national and international levels to support tourism sectors and revive vulnerable tourism locations.

After reviewing the state of India’s tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is trying to put in place a National Tourism Policy in 2022. Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy made the statement Wednesday during a speech at the National Conference on Tourist Policing.

“We (India) are planning to put in place a National Tourism Policy 2022 before the country and the world. As there is no proper and concrete National Tourism Policy in India yet, we will bring a policy this year concrete and comprehensive National Tourism Board under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Reddy said.

He also mentioned that India is progressing rapidly in the tourism sector but underlined the need to rethink all aspects to make India a major tourist destination by providing a safe and secure environment for tourists considering the big target.

A few suggestions…

• Build travel industry confidence with appropriate mitigation measures.
• Allowing unvaccinated people in tourist locations with proper security measures can improve tourism.
• Promote and inform travelers about security measures.
• Maintain hotel capacity.