Q.1. What are the key steps taken by the Association during the Present Situation in India on the Global Arena?
Ans.1. We had advised our members to follow the guidelines issued by the government from time to time and stay safe. Safety of our members is our prime concern. Besides this, we had advised our members not to get distracted by an overdose of knowledge floating in the market and stay focussed on their core passion and objectives. They should be realigning their business, adapt it to be sustainable for the next one to two years by all possible means and actions, be it reducing their capital and human resources or cutting on expenses.
Q.2. Why should a common man prefer a tour operator to plan his holidays?
Ans.2. Tour Operators have an abundance of knowledge and experience that will always add value to any tour programme.
Q.3. What is the future of tourism in India after COVID -19?
Ans.3. Unfortunately during such pandemic and other unfavourable conditions, tourism gets affected before anybody else in the world and it gets better only rest of the things are in place and running. In India it will not be any different post COVID-19. Being realistic, we expect domestic tourism to start picking some time early to mid next year. In fact, it will be domestic tourism that will rescue most of the tour operators and travel agents. International Outbound or Inbound growth is expected only in the latter part of next year.
Q.4. What are the expectations of Travel & Tourism fraternity from the government?
Ans.4. Endless expectations. But we are not expecting any significant relief from the government for the operators or agents. The best would have been an interest-free loan of 10-20 Lacs towards working capital for the next two years (something similar to Mudra loan but specifically for the tourism industry and without any collaterals.
Q.5. What is your advice about the safety and security of all tourists, domestic as well as international?
Ans.5. Social Distancing is the only safety and which will ultimately be customary once the world opens for tourism again.
Q.6. What major bold steps to be taken or advise by Travel Trade to Government after COVID 19?
Ans.6. Tourism / Travel trade in India needs government support at this crucial time more than ever. Tourism has all the potential to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP. Liberal policies, financial support to stakeholders at agency levels upwards and extensive marketing. India has so much to offer in tourism.
Q.7. How Association members help Governments and Tourism Departments for cleanliness at prominent places of tourist significance?
Ans.7. Through public-private partnerships.
Q.8.What you say about to make ‘Incredible India Trip’?
Ans.8. Better infrastructure, smooth access and intensive marketing.
Q.9. How does the customer have to deal with delays, hidden charges and other problems created due to travel booking agents?
Ans.9. Better deal with authorized agents.
Q.10. Due to major competition between the tour operator and online tour portals, do you think that online portals increased market share? Are they providing the best rates and services to the customers?
Ans.10. The key is that customer get value. To me, offline agents always score better over online agents.
Q.11. The outbound travel market has grown over the past three years. After COVID 19 is the outbound tourism boom?
Ans.11. Not any time soon. It will take 2-3 years before outbound numbers reach to 2019 levels.
Q12. For a large part of middle-class India, the definition of holidaying today is essentially ‘traveling abroad’. Is domestic travel suffering due to this?
Ans.12. Will not agree to this. The only reason the middle class in India prefer holidaying overseas is the cost factor. Many short-haul overseas destinations around India offer holidays at a much lower cost as compared to domestic destinations. Hence the number gap. Moreover, the tourism ministry needs to rework its strategy to promote domestic tourism.
Q.13. Some outbound destinations are very economical rather than holidaying in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa or NorthEast? With travelling becoming so cheap, people are looking forward to getting more value out of their money? What more do you plan to offer to your customer?
Ans.13. There is a number of experiences that are unique to our Incredible India. With 38 UNESCO World heritage sites, we can easily turn things in our favour.
Q.14. Impact of COVID-19 on Global travel and tourism revenue in 2019 and forecast for 2020?
Ans.14. It will revive only after mid next year with profitability expected in 2022 and beyond.
Q.15. What has been the biggest challenge in navigating COVID-19 to date?
Ans.15. Uncertainty over its end and arrival of its cure and vaccination.
Q.16. What actions are been taken now to ensure that you’re ready to get leisure & business travellers back after COVID-19 pandemic is over?
Ans. 16. Preserve our Capital, Financial and Human resources.
Q.17. How can the tourism industry overcome disasters?
Ans.17. Staying Safe and Staying Positive.
We hope this Q&A session by Shri Jagdeep Bhagat has helped you the readers, in any way possible. We would like to thank our 10K plus subscribers and active reader. if you have not subscribed yet do so to keep it in touch with upcoming content.
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