LUDHIANA: In a setback to the travel industry, the businessmen visiting China have postponed their plans till March 30 due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Travel agents used to do a brisk business during this time of the year, offering services like business visas, air tickets and hotel bookings. Besides, several delegations used to visit China for attending trade fairs and factory visits.
However, travel agents said due to coronavirus spread, no queries were being made this time.
Gurpreet Chawla, president of Micro and Small Travel Agents’ Association, Ludhiana, said, “For almost a month, businessmen did not visit China due to Chinese New Year holidays when all factories are closed. Now when holidays are about to get over, coronavirus has spread. Chinese suppliers and factory owners have advised Indian businessmen to avoid visiting their country for two months, at least till March 30. This has caused huge losses to us. In February alone, we used to get 50-60 queries for China alone. One of my clients who had booked his tickets for Guangzhou too has cancelled his plan.”
Manjit Singh, a member of Micro and Small Travel Agents’ Association, said, “Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, we are sitting idle, besides there is recession in the travel market. What is worse is that we are anticipating huge rise in costs of all services for China, be it visa, flight or hotel bookings after the situation improves.”
City businessmen are also anticipating losses.
Ravi Kalra, a city-based importer, said, “Due to Chinese New Year the business establishments were closed and no processing of new orders took place. Chinese embassy in India too was closed from January 24 to 30. But business operations were to resume after this period. Unfortunately due to the outbreak of coronavirus, a large number of factories are still shut. The movement of goods from China, too, is hit. All these factors will cause us huge losses.”
Visit to trade fairs cancelled
City-based Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) has cancelled five tours to China and Taiwan. These include Taipei Cycle Show, China Pla and Canton Fair. FICO president Gurmeet Kular said, “Besides these fairs, the largest show of bicycle industry called China International Bicycle and Motor Fair-2020 to be held from May 6 to 9 is still under our review. If the situation improves till February-end, then we will continue with our plan, else cancel it.”
Import of Chinese goods
Ludhiana is one of the largest markets of Chinese goods in north India and every year products worth hundreds of crores from China land here for distribution in other markets. According to GS Kahlon, president of Auto Parts Manufacturers’ Association, “Ludhiana is one of the biggest importers of Chinese goods, including sewing machine parts, bicycle parts, sanitary items, PVC and tyres, among others. The supply will now remain disrupted due to coronavirus, and rates of these items will skyrocket.”
Travel agents used to do a brisk business during this time of the year, offering services like business visas, air tickets and hotel bookings. Besides, several delegations used to visit China for attending trade fairs and factory visits.
However, travel agents said due to coronavirus spread, no queries were being made this time.
Gurpreet Chawla, president of Micro and Small Travel Agents’ Association, Ludhiana, said, “For almost a month, businessmen did not visit China due to Chinese New Year holidays when all factories are closed. Now when holidays are about to get over, coronavirus has spread. Chinese suppliers and factory owners have advised Indian businessmen to avoid visiting their country for two months, at least till March 30. This has caused huge losses to us. In February alone, we used to get 50-60 queries for China alone. One of my clients who had booked his tickets for Guangzhou too has cancelled his plan.”
Manjit Singh, a member of Micro and Small Travel Agents’ Association, said, “Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, we are sitting idle, besides there is recession in the travel market. What is worse is that we are anticipating huge rise in costs of all services for China, be it visa, flight or hotel bookings after the situation improves.”
City businessmen are also anticipating losses.
Ravi Kalra, a city-based importer, said, “Due to Chinese New Year the business establishments were closed and no processing of new orders took place. Chinese embassy in India too was closed from January 24 to 30. But business operations were to resume after this period. Unfortunately due to the outbreak of coronavirus, a large number of factories are still shut. The movement of goods from China, too, is hit. All these factors will cause us huge losses.”
Visit to trade fairs cancelled
City-based Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) has cancelled five tours to China and Taiwan. These include Taipei Cycle Show, China Pla and Canton Fair. FICO president Gurmeet Kular said, “Besides these fairs, the largest show of bicycle industry called China International Bicycle and Motor Fair-2020 to be held from May 6 to 9 is still under our review. If the situation improves till February-end, then we will continue with our plan, else cancel it.”
Import of Chinese goods
Ludhiana is one of the largest markets of Chinese goods in north India and every year products worth hundreds of crores from China land here for distribution in other markets. According to GS Kahlon, president of Auto Parts Manufacturers’ Association, “Ludhiana is one of the biggest importers of Chinese goods, including sewing machine parts, bicycle parts, sanitary items, PVC and tyres, among others. The supply will now remain disrupted due to coronavirus, and rates of these items will skyrocket.”
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