The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has urged the Indian government to implement a host of initiatives to revive the tourism sector. In a recent written communication to Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Civil Aviation and Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister for Tourism, TAAI has stressed that the present period is conducive to reinvigorate the sector since the new tourist season (December – March) has begun.
“We are grateful to the Indian government for considering our suggestion to ensure the RT-PCR tests are undertaken within 72 hours of departure. This is the right time that we should ensure that the economy starts to revive. We are confident that if we commence our ascend now, we can record pre-Covid tourist numbers by March 2021,” said Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI.
Mayal had a joint meeting with both the Ministers on August 13, 2020 to discuss matters of concern with regards to Civil Aviation and Tourism sectors. Thereafter, the association had various interactions with senior officials from both the Ministries on a regular basis.
The association has suggested the Indian government to open up tourist visas for foreigners to visit India. “With most protocols and SoPs in place, we have seen that stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector are ready to ensure the safety of all tourists,” read the communication.
TAAI has requested the government to make RT-PCR tests mandatory for all arriving passengers with no quarantine across all international airports in the country.
“The government and the airport partner should absorb the cost of the RT-PCR tests and waive the same for the travellers since many airports handling international arrivals are based on PPP model. Such an initiative will not only attract more tourist arrivals but also ensure adequate safety precautions to be taken and monitored,” said Mayal. The written communication to both the Ministers also requested the government to provide travellers undertaking RT-PCR tests in Indian airports with meals, comfortable seating/resting facilities and Wi-Fi.
“It has been observed that flights to many countries which permit Indian travellers have not commenced under Air Bubble Agreements or the Vande Bharat Mission (VBM). We, therefore, suggest that travel from/to many countries which are not a part of the Air Bubble or VBM must be allowed on via flights for passage through countries, where the said agreements are in place with India,” said Mayal.
The association has suggested making medical travel insurance mandatory for all inbound and outbound travellers for their entire duration of stay. TAAI has also requested the government to set up a task force to follow up on its joint initiatives with the government towards the aviation and tourism sectors with the states and all stakeholders.