Time to harmonise travel related health protocols, procedures

It is difficult to define tourism industry, as unlike other industries, it is not limited to just one product. It incorporates many industries like aviation, shipping, lodging, transport, travel companies, railways and more. In its broadest sense, the huge value chain of tourism is defined when people travel and stay at places outside their usual environment for less than a consecutive year for leisure, business, health or other reasons. That it is huge can be gauged from the fact that direct contribution of travel and tourism industry to global GDP was approximately US$ 2.9 trillion in 2019. 

Over the last 15 months, Covid-19 has affected us all and also posed multiple challenges. Not only have there been loss of lives, but there has also been loads of struggle with zero business, increase in unemployment, cash crunch, frustration and despair. It is envisaged that the tourism industry in India stands at a value risk of 15 lakh crore along with 50 lakh job losses. There have been sacrifices, at every level, personally and professionally. 

But we are a resilient sector, both at local and global levels. The pandemic has shown the importance of making the right decisions at the right time and there has been a renewed vigour in the spirit of solidarity and motivation over this one year plus.  

Tourism, as we are aware, is the backbone of many countries around the world. As travel restrictions get relaxed in several nations, especially with a greater number of people getting vaccinated, governments and private sectors must work together to restore confidence and trust, the most essential foundations for recovery, among discerning travellers.  

For the challenging months ahead, it is important to outline a roadmap and priorities, from providing liquidity to vulnerable businesses to opening borders and coordinating new health protocols and procedures. To proceed and achieve, there is a need to invest in innovation and sustainability which are no longer small parts of our sector but the pivotal point of restarting and rebooting the new norms in everything we do.  

Milestone driven responsibilities also need to be evaluated and driven for the government, private stakeholders and travellers. The processes and procedures for opening borders need to be introduced and adapted on evidence, based in line with public health and risk assessment. We need to ensure regional and international coordination in the reopening of borders as also regularly updated travel restrictions and protocols using best available information from leading international health authorities to ensure they remain proportionate to the public health threat and local risk assessment.  

As we restart tourism, it is time to build a sector that works for the people and the planet. I consciously advocate for the right investments and procedures to be followed to revive and thrive it through safe procedures in partnership with the government as also the need to collaborate in public-partnership for an efficient reopening of borders with responsibility. We also need to coordinate sustainable protocols and procedures to ensure liquidity and protect jobs and add value through newer technologies and innovations. 

For safe, seamless and touchless travel, technology needs to be enhanced. Reliable, consistent and easy to access information on travel restrictions and protocols needs to be provided to the private sector and to the travellers. Together, we need to ensure coordination of relevant unilateral policies and measures among tourism, health and transport authorities.  

Then there is also the need to harmonise travel and tourism related health protocols and procedures at a global level and work towards the international inter-operability of visitors’ tracing apps. Importantly, mitigate risks at departure and arrival at state and international borders. The governments need to advance travel facilitation towards e-visa/ visa on arrival/ no visa policies and temporary visa cost exemption to stimulate demand. Ease and cash protection of business, tax free holidays, incentives, reliefs, rebates and moratoriums on statutory overheads will be able to instigate tourism and all its streams. 

We also should not forget that we need to rebuild and reinvent the economy and infrastructure of our country for travel, tourism and hospitality and this can only be achieved by commitment and investment of time, skilling and most importantly, induction of liquidity by all the partners – government, private stakeholders and consumers to collaborate and coordinate on priority to build a robust tourism future and destination.