Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 3: President Indian Association of Tour Operators, IATO, Pronab Sarkar today said that Covid-19 has impacted the travel and tourism sector and is going through very tough time and the Government must come out for support of this sector.
Addressing the webinar on `Impact, Survival and Strategies for Economic Revival of J&K Tourism’, organised by FICCI, Sarkar said, “We are very uncertain how long it will take to recover, therefore survival is the most important part of our existence.”
He urged upon the Central Government to support the industry. “Going ahead, air travel and road transport will play a key role in the overall development of the sector. State Government has to play bigger role,” Sarkar added.
PP Khanna, president Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, ADTOI said that domestic tourism is the lifeline of the state. Out of the total tourist arrivals, J&K receives 90 percent from India. “We are hopeful that the Government will support the industry by announcing some relief package,” he said.
Rakesh Mathur, president Responsible Tourism Society of India, said that due to Covid-19 not only the state will loose on tourists but also there will be cancellation of various corporate meetings, seminars etc.
Manzoor Pakhtoon, chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance, JKTA, said, ” We need to focus on survival and revival of the tourism industry. We have to look for a longer period, going forward if seems this pandemic will be there till 2020. I would request national bodies also to come forward and help us in reviewing the tourism industry in J&K,” he added.
Vikram Gupta, general secretary Jammu Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Association, said that the tourism industry in J&K is on the verge of collapse and needs urgent support from the Government. “We are all dependent on domestic travel now for next 2 years, Government of J&K should focus on leisure and mice and corporate,” he added.
Nasir Shah, chairman, IATO J&K and Ladakh Chapter said that J&K is the only UT in the country which has done a progressive job in controlling Covid -19 spread. ” We are hopeful that by June end, red zones will turn into green zone.”
Tapan Dubey vice president Tourism Federation of Jammu said Government needs to help the industry by announcing incentives and relief package. “Traditional ways of doing business is going to fade. This is the time when we have to reassess the capacity of the health patients, waste disposable capacities and infrastructure for tourism industry,” he added.
Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad MD/ CEO Tulip Hospitality said that Government authorities should come forward in supporting the industry for their survival.
Awareness among tourism fraternity and host population regarding cleanliness of tourist destinations.
Shamim Shah, secretary General JKTA, Gaurav Gupta, representative from JCCI and Arshad Danish J&K coordinator FICCI also spoke on the occasion.
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