Move towards technology

According to Eashita Ghosh, Promotional Manager, Tibet Tours and Travels, demonetisation has come as a boon in disguise as it will bring an opportunity to enhance the functioning of the tourism industry. Ghosh, however, points out that immediate effects have resulted in postponement or cancellation of trips due to current monetary crisis. Explaining the company’s efforts to tackle the situation she informs that in destinations like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan and Nepal, the company has introduced payment gateways on the company website and swipe machines as a mode of collecting money from the guests. “Technology in our line of business has been seen as a curse but in the current situation it is a saviour and soon tourists and agents would look forward to the use of technology for faster and smoother money transactions. As per our company policy we majorly deal in cashless transactions with our clients and hence, it has been quite easy for us to overcome demonetisation. Most of our vendors are also opting for online transaction with us,” says Ghosh. STHI Holidays India — Best Destination Management Company-International Gagan Kumar, Founder and Director, STHI Holidays India, feels that demonetisation as a policy move is in the positive direction for the growth of the economy. However, he points out that tourists, both foreign and domestic, have scaled down. Kumar says, “Travel has been people's least priority, given the current economic scenario in the country. Travel agents are suffering as bookings are being postponed and business is reduced.”