INCREDIBLE INDIA OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Following an extended closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most Indian states are now ready to welcome back tourists

Overnight, the Covid-19 pandemic halted businesses, stalled economies and put the world on an extended quarantine. Countries shut their borders, putting the aviation industry on a standstill. And by default, the hospitality and tourism industries paused for a period of time. It was towards the end of March that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a national lockdown, shutting shop for many (permanently for some) in India. Towards the end of June is when the rst phase of Unlock India was declared; and therea er, phases of “Unlocks” were announced on a monthly basis, o ering respite to the economy gradually.

Domestic aviation restarted in May, however travellers were only seen ying for emergencies and essential reasons.

Phase four of Unlock India announced in late August is when domestic tourism and hospitality sectors nally breathed a sigh of relief. “ere shall be no restriction on inter-state and intrastate movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/e-permit will be required for such movement,” announced the statement by the Ministry of Home A airs.

People, starved of travel, began planning road-trips and domestic holidays that would let them out of their homes, almost instantaneously. Since the Central Government essentially rescinded the power from the State Governments to impose lockdowns and close borders, domestic travel o cially reopened.

With disappearing e-passes, ights open to almost all major cities in the country, tourist attractions opening doors and hotels ready for guests with idealistic sanitisation measures, domestic tourism is making a slow but steady come-back.

Here’s a state wise analysis of how Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are now welcoming tourists in Unlock phase ve.