Travelling is all about moving from one place to another, exploring new things, involving in the journey, engaging in the activities of it, learning about the different places too. Travelling is one of the interesting activities in itself; it provides an opportunity for travelers to collect scattered things, which provide them with experiences and knowledge. Developing new ideas and concept is the motto of some travelling. There lies several reasons for travelling and varies in types, also. People travel for enjoyment, spending time with close ones or some work or business purposes, the last decade has shown the data of increase in medical and Educational travel also.
As there are no boundaries for travelling and seeking geographically, people found themselves free to move anywhere of their choices and interest. And that is how we segregate between domestic and international travel. Along with interest and other things, some factors must be proper for travelling to complete. The Industry which looks after those aspects are considered as the travel industry, which performs activities and provides benefits to tourism sectors.
- Lodging
- Catering
- Transportation
- Entertainment
- Retail
Where a large number of manual power is involved in providing good facilities to the travelers, and all the mentioned facilities are interconnected, which are the requirement of almost all kinds of travelers, especially international ones.
Downfall of The Industry
The tourism industry was one of the World’s greatest markets until the World met a Pandemic in the 21st Century, Covid -19. This study aims to present the reactions of travelers during the Pandemic treads outlined by adopting text mining techniques.
Covid -19 has created a huge impact in almost all the countries of the World. In every field, it affected the life and livelihood of human beings. The same way also in the travel and tourism industry also.
The Covid ‐19 Pandemic has led to more than 4.3 million confirmed cases and more than 290.000 deaths Worldwide. It raised fears of an impending economic crisis and recession. Social distancing, Self- isolation, and travel restrictions have reduced the Workforce in all Sectors of the Economy and have led to the loss of many jobs.
The outbreak of Coronavirus Covid -19 represents an essential and evolving challenge to the tourism sector. Containment of the Pandemic is the top priority, and the tourism sector is committed to supporting all measures taken to certain the epidemic. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is working closely with the World Health Organisation(WH0), its Member states, and Industry to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
In response to the Virus outbreak and the imposed social distancing, many world Heritage properties are currently closed, this having social and economic consequences on the Communities that live in around those sites.
Business Travel Problem
The travel, which took place for business or work purposes, is also decreased due to the Pandemic. Physical meetings and attainment of other work-related gatherings are also put into check, as all of us have to follow the Covid -19 guidelines.
Intermitted closed borders owing to lockdown across nations is here to stay for quite some time, this bringing overseas travels to a standstill for at least some more months. Thus, domestic travel is the more logical arena to focus on now.
A significant decrease in business travels, which is being replaced by an increasing number of zoom or Microsoft Team meetings. Global meetings and large gatherings are being paused. Group travels and leisure travels have almost stopped owing to the fear of being infected and spreading the infection, especially affecting the very young and the older travelers group.
How to Promote Tourism After Covid -19
Due to the Ongoing Pandemic, the impact which is being faced by the Travel industry is huge, as almost complete suspension of international travel has been one of the major elements of the quarantines introduced during the Coronavirus (covid-19) Pandemic. While this has brought misery for those who love to travel, it has brought decimation for airlines, hotels, and tourism operators.
The UNWTO has estimated that Asia and the Pacific tourism industry felt the largest negative impact from Covid-19, with tourist arrivals down almost 33 million in the first trimester of 2020. It affected all kinds of activities and work of the people who are directly or indirectly engaged with it. The International Labour Organisation has called the impact ‘Devastating.’
With quarantine easing and flight schedule reforming, tourism is Showing signs of returning. However, for the Industry to back into it is the previous shape or strengthen the speed, certain ingredients have to apply to it.
Use of technology: Creating a new online 360 – degree video experience of some parts of the world Heritage to enable people to experience the unique location from home.
Domestic Tourism: when tourism resumes, domestic travel will be the focus, putting destinations under the dangers of mass tourism in which the number of incoming tourists exceeds a destination’s capacity to hold them. Vietnam will be the first County in South East Asia to resume domestic travel with discounted packages and advertising intended for building demand. Other countries are also focusing on a few Prime locations for attracting tourists.
Natural Protection: Various Government and assigned department of World are concern about the problems which ecology have to face due to huge travelers and tourism. At this time, all those are not properly functioning, so authorities can take steps to look after that field and provide the necessary care. And as a result, they will be more attractive.
Rebuilding Infrastructure: Giving attention to the rebuilding of Architecture or repair of the broken sites to penciled the sustainable tourism and recreate will help in growing attraction and interest in all kinds of travels. And this is the best time to invest in the construction process. Which also comprises rebuilt of the connection of various routes.
Rethinking Flying: Tax reforms must be done with consideration of tax levies for frequent flyers. Many aviation companies are nearing bankruptcy leading to increasing demand for government bailouts. By making several attractive opportunities for flyers, it is an excellent time to start again.
These are some of the fundamental pillars for the recovery of the impact of over-tourism and the travel industry.
How tourism industry affected by Covid -19
Given that international arrivals exceeded 1.5 billion for the first time only in 2019, the long-term evolution of tourism is proved to be greatly dependent on a decade of growth since the global financial crisis. However, this last period of Unhindered business tourism development has suddenly come to an end with the Covid-19.
As per reports of Hoque, 2020, accompanied by Quarantine in most countries closed borders worldwide, Covid-19 Pandemic heavily hit the MICE( Meeting, Incentives, Conferences, Events) Industry was undermined by government efforts to Contain and Combat the Pandemic. Borders were closed, trips banned, social and business events Cancelled, and people were ordered to stay uh n their homes. After months of Unprecedented disruptions, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation(UNWTO) reported that the tourist sector begins to revive in some areas, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. At the same time, travel restrictions remained valid for the most global destination, and business tourism Continued to be among the most affected sector of all World Tourism Organisations.
Although Dubai’s tourism Sector announced reopening the city for international tourism on July 7, 2020, people worldwide were still afraid of travelling. Consequently, the members of international arrivals in Dubai were far from those before March 2020.
Affect in the Indian subcontinent
India is a country of huge cultural and human resources, which provide unique opportunities for the New as well as previous travels to travel and engage with the dynamic sites. From Kashmir’s saffron field to Kanayakumari’s Religious importance, and from Gujarat’s Statue of Unity to Seven Sister’s hidden beauty. There are bundles of unseen glory, which India provides with its unique Food habit.
And at the same time, Indian tradition and Hospitality is unparalleled for International tourists.
The Indian tourism industry has created about an 87.5million jobs, with 12.75% of total employment, thereby contributing INR 194 billion to India’s GDP. But due to the current situation, the several employment opportunities and generating enormous races have shown a downfall. The travel and tourism industry’s employment loss is predicted to be 100.08 million worldwide
-Social Distancing
- Self or Mandatory Quarantine
- Work from Home
Are some of the reasons which affected the travel industry hugely.
This article is written ‐ by Labanya Ghosh