President Indian Association of Tour Operators, IATO Pronab Sarkar, said that Covid-19 has impacted the travel and tourism sector and is going through a very tough time.
Addressing the webinar on “Impact, Survival and Strategies for Economic Revival of J&K Tourism’, organised by FICCI, Sarkar said, “We are very uncertain as how long it will take to recover, therefore survival is the most important part of our existence.”
He urged that the government should 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 a bigger role,” added Sarkar.
President Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, ADTOI P P Khanna, said that domestic tourism is the lifeline of the JK UT.
“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.
President Responsible Tourism Society of India Rakesh Mathur said due to Covid-19 not only the state will lose tourists but also there will be cancellation of various corporate meetings, seminars etc. “We will have to ensure re-skilling of the labours in order to prepare ourselves post Covid-19,” added Mathur.
Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance, JKTA Manzoor Pakhtoon said that they need to focus on survival and revival of the tourism industry.
He said, “We have to look for a longer period of time, going forward if it seems this pandemic will be there till 2021, I would request national bodies also to come forward and help us in reviewing the tourism industry in J&K.”
Gen Secretary Jammu Hotels, Bar Association said Vikram Gupta 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 the next 2 years, the government of J&K should focus on leisure and mice and corporate,” he added.
Chairman, IATO J&K and Ladakh Chapter Nasir Shah 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 zones.”
Vice President Tourism Federation of Jammu Tapan Dubey said the government needs to help the industry by announcing incentives and relief packages. “Traditional ways of doing business are going to fade. This is the time when we have to reassess the capacity of the health patients, waste disposable capacities and infrastructure for the tourism industry,” he added.
MD/ CEO Tulip Hospitality Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad said that government authorities should come forward in supporting the industry for their survival.
“Awareness among the tourism fraternity and host population regarding cleanliness of tourist destinations. Capacity building programmes for tourism stakeholders for sustainable tourism practices.”
Secretary General JKTA Shamim Shah said, “We have to be realistic in our approach. Our prime concern should be to fight this crisis and then focus on our businesses.”
Gaurav Gupta, representative from Chamber of Commerce & Industries Jammu moderated the session.
Arshad Danish State Coordinator FICCI J&K State Council welcomed the guests and gave vote of thanks.
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