Looking forward to a positive beginning
The recent revision in MDA guidelines for the promotion of domestic tourism, revision in guidelines for recognition of tour operators/tourism service providers, skill development training program, motivational talks, encouraging Supreme Court verdict on air ticket refund, media coverage and regular interaction with the members giving them the desired momentum to their plausible views have been some of IATO’s efforts in motivating and encouraging their members. Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO shares more with TTJ.
How hopeful are you about inbound travel resuming in 2021? Any encouraging sign?
We are very hopeful as encouraging signs are coming with vaccines being approved by many countries that will benefit citizens of all those countries. This is giving us positive vibes that we may see an end of the current pandemic soon. The positive results may allow tourists’ movement from our source markets, especially from those countries with whom we have air bubble arrangements on a reciprocal basis, to open up tourism activities. We have requested our Government to announce the opening date of e-Visas and normal visas for tourists and start international flights as soon as possible so that tourists from abroad can plan their visit to India. As soon as the borders are open for tourism activities, we are sure that tourism to India shall start and inbound tourism shall bounce back to normal within the next two years. We are looking forward to a positive beginning from October 2021 for the tourism industry.
How has your association managed to motivate and encourage the members in these difficult times?
To engage and motivate our members we took the initiative of organising various Skill Development Training Program for the staff and owners. Besides, we also organised bi-monthly members’ interactive meetings to discuss various issues and invited expert speakers to update our members on various subjects.
With our sustained efforts with all relevant Ministries i.e. PMO, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, DGFT, Niti Aayog, SEPC, Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Governments on the MACRO issues like refunds, opening up of borders, revival of e-Visa, resumption of International flights, besides our appeal for Survival and Revival packages of which our members are being made aware through our weekly communication. The members know that their association is leaving no stone unturned.
With the international travel scenario supposed to take a back seat compared to domestic travel, according to you, what factors will help to make the Inbound travellers feel confident and stress-free for a vacation in India?
Indian outbound market is around 27 million as per 2019 figures which at the moment are not able to travel abroad and we expect a portion of these affluent travellers may travel within India and some of them may avail the services of tour operators. Presently most of the Indian domestic tourism movements are by road for nearby destinations and booking hotels through online portals and not availing any services from the domestic tour operators as most of the travellers are small families and friends. Group tourism has not started yet due to pandemic conditions. We are hopeful once the pandemic is over, group movements shall start and numbers of tourists shall also increase, who shall use the services of tour operators and we shall get back the lost business.
Adherence to safety and hygiene protocols by the tourism fraternity in India and the public at large, Covid situation rapidly improving in our country, steps by Ministry of Tourism in promoting Incredible India though their Dekho Apna Desh and other platforms, increase in Domestic Tourism - Domestic flights returning to 90 per cent of pre COVID days – all these will help to make the Inbound travellers feel confident and stressfree for a vacation in India. Further countries like Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, welcoming tourists from our country clearly goes to show the hygiene standards in India.