Events

02 May 2020|Noida | Amity University, Noida

REVIVAL STRATEGIC ROADMAP FOR GLOBAL TOURISM POST COVID 19: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Prof. (Dr.) M. Sajnani Prof. Sajnani started the session and welcomed the speakers with a brief on the theme of the webinar “REVIVAL STRATEGIC ROADMAP FOR GLOBAL TOURISM”. Prof. also stated the background of the webinar series conducted so far. He formally introduced the eminent panelists and handed over to Mr. Puneet Saxena, the Moderator for the session. Mr. PUNEET SAXENA Change is the only thing permanent in our life, we can perceive COVID 19 as blessing in disguise and the whole world is acting one unitedly to fight back the pandemic. Post COVID, we will be going to experience new normal in terms of hygiene, sanitation, safety and security with following certain practices and measures in our daily life. With every passing day, we are re-engineering ourselves and our mind, learning new things through social media, taking up virtual tours and holidays. New destinations are likely to come up with new normal protocols to be followed by the tourists taking up the travelling either domestic or international. As per the statistics, approximately 26 million tourists travel internationally and will continue to do so, gradually, may be in a year or so. For revival of outbound travelling, firstly we need to focus on the current situation of COVID in the destination and also on the country’s norms on travel restrictions. Role of health certificate will take a lead, along with the travel documents required to travel internationally. Destination management company (DMC) need to analyses the behaviour and attitude change of the travellers to customize facilities and services as per the requirements. There are certain changes that are likely to happen in the attitude of travellers post COVID, they would be more into sustainable tourism, responsible tourism rather than mass tourism. Mr. PUNEET ARORA As per the statistical survey, there are 30 countries and more than 100 cities all together, that are badly impacted by COVID. Reason being we will not be focusing on selling such destination to our travellers. Though we are training our employees to focus on the countries that are less impacted by COVID, like, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam or domestic travel etc. Selling of destination that are more affected by COVID more are not going to be helpful in any terms, people are scared and would never want to go the such places, like, western Europe, Italy, US etc. There would be more travelling to safe countries like Middle East or Far East. Selling and marketing strategies for destination promotion and selling would focus more on stand alone countries rather than a country as a whole. Business travellers or FITs would be given more preference because of the involvement of lesser number of travellers. Refund to the people for their cancellation booking are creating problems for companies that are working totally online. For the companies that are physically working on the financial aspects are quite helpful though. Virtual tourism is not much of a help though SMEs are helping the refund of tourists back. (Puneet Arora Added) Social distancing are norms in the current situation. AI acts travel advisor that would help the travellers to build awareness and disseminate information. Will there be any changes in Schengen visa? If a person wants to travel Italy and France together, will be possible post COVID. Visa will be same just When are you planning to promote Australia and New Zealand travelling (date)? By 2021, working on product or contracting, things will fall in the place by the end of the year 2020. Ms. IRINA HATCHER Current situation in Vietnam is quite under control, lockdown has been lifted on April 23, though borders are closed, restrictions on travelling Challenges before Vietnam · Tourists are scared · International travelling and all the legalities · Borders closed · Security and health challenges Measures taken by Vietnam govt. · Promoting Vietnam as safe destination · Opening new travel routes · Promoting and allowing travelling to destination those are covid 19 free · Arranging social distancing Measure taken by tour operators yo minimize the impact of covid 19 on inbound tourism · Flexibility with prices, dates of bookings and cancellation · Offering new experience · Focus on tailor made tours · Providing masks and sanitizers for travelers · Health screening of the staff who will be contacting the tourists · Informing the tourists with up to date situation and safety regulation Reduce in price of entrance fees would be estimated. Cruise and hotel will be flexible in cancellation, confidence of tourists by allowing them in changes in the date or time for booking. Estimated losses in the country Ministry of tourism of Vietnam states the losses to approx. 7.7 billion USD How are you planning MICE tourism in Vietnam? Entry rule will be same for everybody. Might be the restriction would be on the no of people. At present there is restriction of not more than 20 people gathering. The challenge is to see how much we can accommodate in future. In the end, Prof Sajnani, Dean FH&T, AUUP thanked all the panellists, faculty co-ordinators, IT support and attendees.