Tourism industry braces for huge loss

PUNE: The travels agents in the city have pointed out that with the panic around coronavirus and people cancelling their pre-planned tours, the travel and tourism industry is looking at a loss of Rs 500 crore in the country.

“While people had already cancelled foreign tours, with coronavirus positive cases being found across India, people have also started cancelling domestic tours in large numbers. This has affected the industry massively,” said travel agent Nitin Shastri of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI). While people usually book tours for summer vacations in the month of April and May, not only are the new bookings stalled, but the planned tours are getting cancelled too.

He further said, “This is affecting the industry on various levels. Right from travel agents, to hoteliers, transport operators and other big and small stakeholders are affected. Several states and union territories that are dependent on tourism for revenue will be severely affected.” Shastri also said that getting refunds has proved to be a hassle for the travel agents.

“It requires a long time for us to get refunds back from the hotels, transport operators, airlines, and all of that is very hectic to us, along with the losses that it brings. It also results in arguments about the amount of refund with customers,” he stated.