The pandemic has deeply impacted the travel industry and there is a demand shift in the kind of products people will be looking at post-COVID-19. This requires organised and concerted efforts from all stakeholders including the Government of India, state governments, various ministries, and industry,” said Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism while addressing a session on the Future of Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Industry and The Way Forward organised by FICCI.
“While the revival of international tourism would take some time, the focus is to promote domestic tourism, which will be the key driver of the tourism sector in India,” she pointed out.
“This is an opportunity to leverage a side of the business that was growing. People have been travelling out of India, but it is time for us to evaluate ourselves and put India first by promoting India as the unique destination for wellness, Ayurveda, Yoga, Pilgrimage as well as Adventure,” emphasised Brar.
She further added that confidence-building methods should be the outline for tourism administrators across the country. “Travellers would require reassurance about health and safety standards during travel and stay, which in turn would require a healthy combination of outreach and innovation as they adjust to the new normal.”
“As a sector, we have witnessed massive developments at airports, road networks hospitality units, boutique resorts and homestays. We must look into the supply side of the options we have, which can tickle the demand of the domestic traveller,” she informed.
Brar feels that a comprehensive tourism recovery plan is required for promoting domestic tourism at the local level and there must be a harmonisation between what is offered to the guest and what they receive.
Speaking on international tourism the ADG Ministry of Tourism said, the slow easing of international travel restrictions in future will result in intense competition as countries will target the same markets. This calls for an aggressive strategy focusing on the intense use of technology, promoting that India is a safe destination.
