The tourism industry was hit severely by the wrath of the covid-19 pandemic. While the tourism sector in India is booming slowly, a recent report states that foreign tourist arrivals in India will not touch pre-covid levels before 2023. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), citing the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) March survey, said that 80 per cent of visitors don’t want to travel because of the quarantine rules.
Foreign Arrivals in 2023 Will Grow Over 18 Million By 2030
The forecast indicates that foreign arrivals in 2023 will grow over 18 million by 2030. It states that India is majorly dependent on long-haul flights for foreign tourist arrivals. The reports have said that 72 per cent of people will travel by air to visit friends and fam as soon as this pandemic ends.
CAPA further adds that Indian tourisms’ main market is for citizens from the UK, US, Canada, China, Malaysia and Australia. However, the cases have peaked in these countries, which is impacting the tourism sector. Besides this, covid-19 vaccination rollouts are in their initial stages worldwide and widespread vaccinations are expected by late 2021.
81 Per Cent Of People Are Ready To Travel By Air After Receiving Covid Vaccine
As per the survey, 56 per cent of the travellers will postpone their air travel until the economy becomes solid like before. And 66 per cent feel that quarantine is not necessary for vaccinated passengers. The survey further found that 84 per cent of tourists will not travel if they have to quarantine at places. However, the good news is that 81 per cent are ready to travel by air if vaccinated.
CAPA in its report said,
“The aviation and tourism industries should ensure the highest levels of strategic determination, commitment and coordination to expedite the recovery of India’s inbound tourism.”
Pre-Covid Levels To Be Achieved By Winter 2023-24
The report states that some travel may resume from winter 2021-22, but meaningful travel is unlikely till 2023. And pre-covid travel won’t be achieved until winter 2023-24. Aviation safety consultant Mohan Ranganathan said foreign tourist arrivals would not revive before 2025.
“Tourist’s traffic will not commence even after the vaccinations are completed until restrictions imposed by the government are lifted,” he said.
Well, with all the data and current influx in the covid-19 cases, it is safe to say that international tourism will only revive when the pandemic is brought under good control.