The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the travel industry because of the subsequent travel limitations just as droop sought after among tourist. The tourism industry has been greatly influenced by the spread of coronavirus, the many nations and states have constricted travel limitations trying to control its spread.
A webinar was recently arranged to talk about the effect of the continuous Coronavirus pandemic on the travel industry, the pillar of the economy of Uttarakhand. With the tourist activities at a stop since the time the declaration across the country lockdown the pandemic is going to haunt every one of us for a year in manners that we can scarcely envision. We have no clue about how it will affect our lives and power us to adjust to unexpected conditions. The human reaction to the pandemic has driven our reality into a space of vulnerability. The shadow of a ‘maybe’ floats over everything. Simultaneously, determined by the desperation existing apart from everything else, it has likewise made an opening for on-screen characters and establishments to look for new headings to reorder the world and rethink our lives procuring a similarity to normalcy.
With the govt. of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana suspending the yearly Kanwar yatra this year, Shravan (July) is ending up being a dry month for those associated with the pilgrimage and holy travel industry.
Under ordinary conditions, crores of fanatic visit the pilgrimage city of Haridwar during that time to convey back with the waters from the Ganga, which is then offered at Shiva sanctuaries across western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Mahant Narayan Giri, the chief priest of the Doodheshwar temple in Ghaziabad, said the sacred month used to bring charity fund and business worth ₹6 lakh to ₹7 lakh that supported temple staff as the year progressed.
“Presently, with the temples being shut, the fund has diminished to near nil. Around 200 individuals, including priests and pupils, used to remain on the temple premises before the lockdown. That number has come down to 50. This is separated from the auxiliary organizations that blossomed with the appearance of fans,” said Mr Giri.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has trained authorities to set up the activity plan for the travel industry consistently.
“We have to help our travel industry area with the goal that it can work around the year rather than the holiday season. The tourism sector is our spine which should be fortified,” Rawat said.
How does the state plan to revive its economy as the country unlocks?
Except in Dehradun, every Religious spot, lodgings, and eateries have been opened. Enterprises are permitted to begin working even before the unlock started. Cultivating had not halted. The government have begun concentrating more on farming and the unified segments. The interest for Himalayan items will increment, be it the Immunity boosting Herbs and spices, vegetables, organic products, honey, or ayurvedic items.
Government help
“Government support has come however we need more to discover our feet,” said Mr Sahni. He said early gauges advice, coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought about lost around ₹200-250 crore to the inn and restaurant industry in Uttarakhand where the tourism sector contributes around 30% of the State’s GDP. He requested a special package for the individuals who have recuperated from COVID-19 and evacuation of State GST on the tourism sector related exercises.
Poonam Chand, Joint Director, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, said the suspension of the Kanwar Yatra was not so much dampener as the yatris drew more than they raised into the Uttarakhand economy.
“In any case, generally speaking, the pilgrimage and tourism sector has endured,” she said. Till July 16, she stated, just 8,280 individuals had embraced the Char Dham Yatra.
“We are in discussion with all the associates. In Unlock 2, we have permitted pilgrim who has a COVID-19 negative report, taken over the most recent 72 hours, to enter the State. The individuals who don’t have a test report could likewise enter, yet they ought to have a seven-day booking at the lodging and ought not to wander out during that period,” Ms Chand said.
With the Haridwar Kumbh Mela only a half-year away, associates in the tourism sector are expecting that the infection would be destroyed by at that point, permitting ordinary entry of devotee to the religious place.
-Dimple Sahu