Hopes for revival of travel and tourism this festive season
Mangaluru: As the festival season is setting in, those in the travel and tourism industry are hoping for a gradual revival of their sector, which has been crippled ever since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.
Eulalia D’Souza of Lia Travels and Tours, said with restrictions to Gulf countries being lifted, things have started moving slowly in a positive direction. The recent Gulf country to ease restrictions is Dubai, which will host Expo 2020 from October 1. “The industry hit rock-bottom last year. This season we are witnessing gradual growth, in travel and tourism domestically. However, there is still an apprehension among travellers due to the fear of Covid-19,” said Eulalia, adding that the industry needs a boost.
Another stakeholder pointed out that it will not revive completely, as long as restrictions are in place. “It is difficult for a person to travel to certain states, even when they are fully vaccinated. The person needs to carry a negative RT-PCR test report. The test costs a lot of money and takes away time,” said the person, giving the example of travellers from Maharashtra and Kerala, who want to enter Karnataka, and have to produce these documents. “The government should ease restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers,” the person said.
“Only job aspirants are trying to go to Dubai on a visit visa,” said another travel industry head. “A lot of students are travelling to the UK, Canada, USA and European countries for studies. Students are paying a hefty amount for flight tickets that range from Rs 2.3 lakh to 2.5 lakh, which are otherwise available at half the cost or less,” the person added.
Loveleen Multani Arun, director of Panache World, Bengaluru, says that lots of people are planning holidays in October. Diwali and the festive season are typically busy in the domestic sector, due to the short duration of holidays. “This time the travel and tourism industry is also seeing an upbeat sentiment. Things should look up for Indian tourist destinations, but everything is subject to the Covid-19 situation,’’ she said.
“The enquiries from tourists are better than compared to other months, and the industry may see a revival from October,” says Vathika Pai, head of operations at Nirmala Travels. “There have been enquiries from people about tours abroad, as well as domestic ones. Domestically, North India is the most preferred destination and locally, people are driving to nearby places in Karnataka,” she added.
Eulalia D’Souza of Lia Travels and Tours, said with restrictions to Gulf countries being lifted, things have started moving slowly in a positive direction. The recent Gulf country to ease restrictions is Dubai, which will host Expo 2020 from October 1. “The industry hit rock-bottom last year. This season we are witnessing gradual growth, in travel and tourism domestically. However, there is still an apprehension among travellers due to the fear of Covid-19,” said Eulalia, adding that the industry needs a boost.
Another stakeholder pointed out that it will not revive completely, as long as restrictions are in place. “It is difficult for a person to travel to certain states, even when they are fully vaccinated. The person needs to carry a negative RT-PCR test report. The test costs a lot of money and takes away time,” said the person, giving the example of travellers from Maharashtra and Kerala, who want to enter Karnataka, and have to produce these documents. “The government should ease restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers,” the person said.
“Only job aspirants are trying to go to Dubai on a visit visa,” said another travel industry head. “A lot of students are travelling to the UK, Canada, USA and European countries for studies. Students are paying a hefty amount for flight tickets that range from Rs 2.3 lakh to 2.5 lakh, which are otherwise available at half the cost or less,” the person added.
Loveleen Multani Arun, director of Panache World, Bengaluru, says that lots of people are planning holidays in October. Diwali and the festive season are typically busy in the domestic sector, due to the short duration of holidays. “This time the travel and tourism industry is also seeing an upbeat sentiment. Things should look up for Indian tourist destinations, but everything is subject to the Covid-19 situation,’’ she said.
“The enquiries from tourists are better than compared to other months, and the industry may see a revival from October,” says Vathika Pai, head of operations at Nirmala Travels. “There have been enquiries from people about tours abroad, as well as domestic ones. Domestically, North India is the most preferred destination and locally, people are driving to nearby places in Karnataka,” she added.
