The travel, tourism and hospitality industries shall not receive help from the Government’s Rs 20 lakh crore package. Therefore, companies in these sectors have begun to lay off employees.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), estimates 30-50 million job losses. This includes almost the entire tourism value chain, right from hotels and airlines to allied businesses. The industry has voiced its shock and disappointment at the lack of support from the AatmaNirbhar package. Especially because the industries are critical contributors to the country’s GDP and foreign exchange earnings.
Travel, tourism and hospitality are also amongst the sectors witnessing the worst effects of economic recession by the pandemic.
As per the Home Ministry, air travel, both international and domestic, remain suspended till the end of Lockdown 4.0. However, on Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Minister tweeted that domestic civil aviation operations shall be restored in a calibrated fashion from May 25.
Although travel services do not expect a full recovery till at least 2021, there is a ray of hope. Domestic travels may still be better off than international ones, considering the looming fear of travelling with the elderly and children.
Hotels and other major hospitality services continue to remain shut in Lockdown 4.0 as per the Ministry of Home Affairs’ order. All such services remain shut except for those meant for quarantine facilities/housing/health/police/government officials/healthcare workers/stranded persons or tourists.