New Delhi: The coronavirus outbreak, across the globe, has impacted several sectors with the predominant one being felt on travel and tourism. In India, the government's decision to suspend all visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organisations, employment, projects etc., has crippled the tourism sector and is facing a severe crisis.
While interacting with ETV Bharat, senior manager of Japan-based travel company, HIS Kundan Jha said, "After the Government of India has issued advisory discouraging inbound international travel and restricting existing visas, the situation has become worst. We have large customers from Japan, both inbound and outbound but with the restrictions and visa cancellation in process, many of our passengers are cancelling their tickets. Government is imposing restrictions on movements of inbound and outbound tourists but we need a permanent solution".
On being asked about travel tourists, Jha said," The arrival of foreign tourists in India rose only by 1.3 per cent in January, which is the lowest figure recorded in last decade. Due to pandemic Covid-19, Cherry Blossom period in Japan also known as Sakura season is also affected. Every year, people wait to see this season but this year there is no demand for it."
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According to Indian Association of Tour Operators, foreign tourists arrival are down by more than 67 per cent annually in the January-March quarter. The number of domestic tourists also come down by 40 per cent.
"Many of our clients are cancelling their travel plans. They are asking their money back because they don't have any plan to travel abroad in the near future," said Anuj Anand, senior manager in HIS.
Echoing the same view, Wasig Zameer from Dreams Travel and Tours said that his business has witnessed a major slowdown.
"We deal with international as well as domestic tourists. Right now there is no demand in this two fronts...we don't know what to do," said Zameer.
According to the estimate, Indian tour and travel operators have witnessed more than 50 per cent drop in bookings within India in the first week of March.
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Not only the travel sector, but India is also witnessing a major impact on the imports and exports in various industries including pharmaceuticals, electronics, mobiles, and auto parts.
Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, there is bloodbath on D-streets and the investor sentiments have worsened.
The stocks have fell sharply and market experts have predicted that the mood in the share market will continue to remain dull as investors are spooked by the developments related to the global virus outbreak.
