With all this COVID scenario, the world has come to a standstill with the majority of destinations globally are now subject to some form of travel restrictions. Travel and tourism are undoubtedly one of the worst-hit sectors as destinations reported a huge decline in international arrivals within the first three months of the calendar year.
Luckily for some countries, international arrivals are not the predominant driver of tourism-related economic activity. In India, foreign tourists represent less than a per cent of tourism activity. The lion’s share of tourism activity is majorly domestic.
How a surge in domestic travel help in boosting the revenue in India?
Restrictions on international travel will see a surge in domestic tourism activity. The drivers of growth in the same can be two-fold. First, there would be majority citizens coming out of lockdown who would be itching to travel and experience normalcy. Besides, we can foresee a weekend tourism boom, with people travelling to familiar destinations preferring cars and opting for road trips. Second, the remaining population who would have otherwise planned to vacation overseas are largely restricted to domestic travel. Together these travellers will generate significant additional revenue for the currently ailing industry. As per reports, the average Indian spend is in fact almost four times more than even the Chinese, the biggest volumetric influence of global travel. With the sheer volume of activity that Indians splurge on, there would be a resultant sharp increase in economic activity.
The timing could not be more favourable as the Ministry of Tourism in India has been working tirelessly on strategies to boost domestic tourism in past few years. The ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign by the ministry is likely to intensify in the coming months.
The expected scenario towards normalcy
The post-COVID world will usher in some significant changes with road trips from major population centres witnessing a sizeable consumption for the months to come. Demand for responsible travel will be real, no longer limited to mere lip service. Travellers are expected to ask for more gratifying experiences. Travel insurance, once an afterthought, will gain wider acceptability among flyers. Citizens would require reassurance about health and safety standards during travel and stay. This would be possible only through a healthy combination of outreach and innovation as they adjust to the new normal.
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