Next Normal for Tourism Industry

Tourism and hospitality industry is not an exception to see downturn during Corona war. Moreover, this industry is highly affected being movement oriented. Indeed, it’s hard to be on virtual holidays for long time. In current pandemic situation where social distancing is the key to fight this virus, obviously raise common concern, “how tourism industry will cope up post COVID19?”

Realizing, tourism industry is majorly affected right from the beginning phase which is not restricted in India but worldwide. Also assuming it could be the last industry to start making its contribution to economic growth in full capacity. However, this resilient industry has always bounced back with refined trends and approaches. May it be a global financial crisis 2007-2009, it has thrived back strongly with new structures and consolidated approaches. Right after that in year 2009 – 2010 when it was anticipated that tourism industry might see yet another downturn when Swine Flu pandemic hit the world but it stood up instead with more preparedness. Tourism industry has been always evolving as going through global political dynamics, conflicts and outbreaks like SARs. Each time it not only recovered but came out sturdier than before not only as a business aspect but revenue stream as well.

Every situation was unique in its own ways though firsts time social distancing comes up as most curative measure. Everyone needs to be very careful about getting exposed to touch anything around outside and others as well. Through the pandemic, if tourism needs to make its way back, then it has to be a responsible enough to bring the livelihood back by the way of rural regions of the country.

Agreeing with St. Augustine, “This world is a book and those who don’t travel, read only one page.” Let’s hope we will win this virus war and again get wonderful opportunity of exploration very soon. This time let’s firstly stand for our country just like they suggest during air journey – help self before helping others. We, proud nationals of this wide, diverse, vibrant and united country can make contribution by being responsible travelers in upcoming future.

Path to next normal for travel lovers, explorers simply begins with planning a short tour or weekend gateway to nearby village to experience the culture. Not just watching but experiencing countryside way of architecture essence of infrastructure, inherited farming processes, variety of attire, cooking cultures and many more. Avoiding travelling in larger groups with long list of places to cover, turn out to be safer way to travel. During the tours, choosing locally owned bed and breakfast or home stays not only reduces risk but also helps local living. Exploring villages motivates community to preserve their tradition, art and culture which are true tourism products. Buying locally made handicrafts, preferring locally produced meals, enjoying spending a day at farm with farmers and leaving lesser carbon footprints makes us surely a responsible traveler. In a journey as baby step towards responsibility towards nature, one can carry own water bottle throughout the trip and avoid one time use plastic.

Its immense pleasure to mention, there are many motivating personalities across India which have recognized the potential of rural tourism and working round the clock to bring the change. Introducing rural tourism as a trend, developing it as a concept and moreover bringing it to reality must have been challenging effort. For instance, district of Ladakh has small town called Maan, on the way to lake Pangong Tso. This village was never a part of standard itinerary until an observatory was developed with star gazing guided tours every evening. To get this project running successfully a young girl was given the training how to be a guide and handle the binoculars installed.  She is currently a part of long distance learning program, does her daily farming household tasks and guide tourists comes to observatory. Similarly, there are villages in north east of the country, coastal Karnataka, jungle villages of Madhya Pradesh and interiors of Tamil Nadu where many women have come forward to be a part of such tourism model where they run home stays, develop handicrafts and also proactively preserve the natural surroundings.

During this lock down, Meraki Itinerary had the opportunity to know and connect with these inspiring and amazing locations and means to continue to be a part of their journeys with an enthusiasm to come up with new holiday experiences post COVID 19. Meraki always believed in safety of planet and people comes before promotion and profit. Let be the change of today make difference for safer and prosperous tomorrow. Wishing all the travelers – शुभास्ते पंथानः संतु!