What are the ways by which the travel sector can revive its prospects post COVID-19 pandemic?
The world has been reeling down under the deadly effects of COVID-19 or Corona virus. Lives lost, hopes shattered, jobs axed and businesses in the doldrums, the world is going through the motions. The travel sector, of all business sectors, has taken the most punches left, right and centre. And it seems as if there will be no respite from it. But there are ways by which travel sector can revive itself and emerge stronger.
The need of the hour is a standard travel policy to facilitate travel by air, sea or road. It is imperative that travellers and tourists follow the guidelines and travel policies religiously to safeguard themselves from the effects of COVID-19 in future. The guidelines must cover social distancing, hygiene and protocol followed in public places such as airports, railway stations, bus stops, travel booking and support centres, etc.
Next comes hygiene, the protocol must stress the importance of hygiene as only proper personal and public hygiene, in addition to cleanliness can keep COVID-19 and other infections at bay. Is wearing a face mask essential at all times? Should travellers carry hand sanitizers with them? What should the COVID-19 travel kit contain? What are the safety and precautionary medical tests that will be in place at public places? What are the medical tests that the traveller has to undergo to ensure travel permit? What are the documents that are required for travel permit from a COVID-19 perspective? Do kids require special permit to travel? If so, what are the regulations that will be in place? These are some of the questions and more that the travel policy should encompass for future travel prospects post COVID-19 crisis.
Finally, what are the safety and hygiene standards to be followed by hotels and restaurants? What are the standards to be adopted by the hotel staff and employees? What are the standards to be followed in the commercial kitchen of hotels and restaurants? Does the hotel or the restaurant need to adopt takeaway as a mandatory feature and more. Online/Mobile booking and digital payment modes must be promoted by the Government for public to stay away from infection.
A world without Travel – From the desk of Emperor Traveline
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine
These lines inspired us to start our travel operations back in 1980, first with domestic travel programme. In the beginning of the 21st century, there was much hype about the phenomenal growth of India’s economic and scientific prowess; thanks to the vision of former President of India and one of the country’s brightest scientific minds, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The promising hopes of the year 2020 reverberated with the youth of India due to Dr.Kalam tagging it, talking and writing endlessly about it and even publishing a book for the inspired youth. He even envisaged the role of travel and tourism in bringing the world together.
Come 2020, the world is witnessing a world without travel. The international borders have been insulated, people isolated and quarantined, hopes shattered, dreams broken and lives consumed. As the world is gearing itself to adjust to the ‘new’ normal at least for the next six months, it will undergo waves of transformation hitherto never seen.
Travel and tourism is the most affected sector by a long way. Not to mention the education, business and medical sectors which depend on travel for operation and efficiency. For most of us fear will be the single most demotivating factor that can thwart the prospect of travelling as COVID-19 will continue to haunt air travellers especially for a good couple of years from now. How we, as travellers, cope with our unremitting fears and reservations is a challenge within.
With mental health levels of people going from bad to worse during the lock down period, travel is the only known panacea that can alleviate people out of mental issues like depression, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, restlessness and other unwarranted fears due to COVID-19 pandemic.
10 points on how the Indian Travel & Tourism industry is affected by COVID-19 crisis
1. Foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) last month declined by 9.3% month-on-month and 7% year-on-year, according to reliable government sources.
2. The number of FTAs in February 2020 were 10.15 lakh against 10.87 lakh during the same period in 2019. The number of FTAs in January 2020 were found to be 11.18 lakh.
3. The number of visitors to the newly built Statue of Unity in Gujarat dropped by over 38 % during January and February.
4. As a result, the revenue collection during the same period declined by approximately ₹5 crore.
5. A report by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the total revenue from ticketed monuments was INR 247.89 crore in FY18, INR 302.34 in FY19 against INR 277.78 crore in FY20 between the months April and January.
6. According to a reliable report by an Archaeologist of ASI, Agra Circle, at the Taj, the number of tickets sold at the Taj during the month of March fell over by 6,000 tickets compared to the period between January and February.
7. Two days prior to the first shutdown during the month of March, the authorities at the Taj were hardly able to sell 8,000 tickets, according to the ASI reports.
8. As per the report by the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality, about 70% out of a total estimated workforce of 5.5 crore (direct and indirect) that is over 3.8 crore could go jobless.
9. Tourism Industry is one of the biggest sectors, and the ongoing COVID-19 could impact 10% of the total GDP of the country.
10. The recovery phase for the travel and tourism sector of the country is estimated to be 8-10 months, even if the government were able to fight the COVID-19 crisis successfully.
10 points on how the global Travel & Tourism industry is affected by COVID-19 crisis
1. The World Travel and Tourism Council has warned that the ongoing Corona virus could axe 50 million jobs all over the world in the travel and tourism sector.
2. Of all regions, Asia is likely to be the most affected. Wuhan province in China is believed to be the source of this worst pandemic affecting almost every region of the world.
3. The council has also mentioned that it would take at least 10 months for the travel and tourism industry to recover and revive its prospects.
4. As the tourist industry currently makes for 10% of the global GDP, the COVID-19 pandemic has put 50 million jobs in danger, with travel expected to slump by a quarter later this year. Asia will take a heavy punch due to this slump.
5. Around 8, 50,000 people travel every month from Europe to the US, which pumps in $3.4 billion every month to the US coffers.
6. Of the 50 million job loss estimated, Asia accounts for nearly 30 million jobs lost, Europe 7 million; the US makes for 5 million job loss and the rest in other parts of the world.
7. The slump in global travel in three months is estimated to cause job reduction between 12% and 14%.
8. The council has warned that the restrictions in place in many countries could only make matters worse for travelling medical experts and delivery of medical equipment and essential supplies.
9. The International Air Transport Association has estimated that Airlines’ passenger revenue will fall by $314 billion in total or 55 percent from the previous year.
10. A report by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization mentions that a total of 217 nations and territories all over the world have imposed stringent travel restrictions to fight the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
An update from Emperor Traveline on COVID-19
For the first time ever, We, at Emperor Traveline, advises you not to travel! And that’s the biggest irony. And if Government regulations are anything to go, you need to stay safe indoors. We are in the midst of a global crisis owing to the outbreak of COVID-19 or Novel Corona Virus, which has transformed the world, as we are approaching towards a ‘new’ normal. The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 are unprecedented as the world is waking up to the news of rising deaths and increasing number of COVID -19 positive-tested patients every single day.
The business climate is gloomy and the worst is anticipated in the days to come as every Government has imposed nation-wide lockouts in almost every part of the world. Videos surfacing of wild creatures roaming scot free on the roads in many parts of the world are doing the rounds online. Several reports have emerged that mentions the role of the ongoing virus crisis in improving air quality and stalling climate change momentum.
Furthermore, emissions from factories, air pollution due to vehicles, and water pollution caused by irresponsible industries have gone down considerably. We cannot but only concede that every crisis, big or small, presents its own challenges, threats as well as ample opportunities.
The uncertainty of COVID-19 is bewildering, to stay the least. Even more baffling is the fact that there is no proven cure or tested vaccine available to curb the spread of the virus. However, what is more heartening to see is that almost every government has preferred to save precious human lives over the falling economy, which again can put many lives at stake later.
We, at Emperor Traveline, have completely adhered to the guidelines and modalities of the regulations laid down by both the State and Central Government during this crisis. We have also ensured that none of our staff or team member has to undergo financial grind. Let’s all pray sincerely for the safety of the world and for normalcy to restore at the earliest.
Indian PM Modi Takes a Walk in the Wild with Bear Grylls
In what is widely reported by the media as an effort towards conservation of environment and cleanliness, Narendra Modi, the Indian PM, joined hands with the popular survivalist Bear Grylls, walked through the wilderness of the famous Jim Corbett National Park located in the state of Uttarakhand and also took an exhilarating ride on a cold river in a do-it-yourself boat.
Modi was seen in the video to have braved the cold and rain in the jungles, as the host aptly put it, Modi was a “great sport”.
The Indian PM was also quizzed on his childhood, his biggest fears and dreams as the prime minister of the biggest democracy in the world to which Modi replied that his positive nature has helped him overcome many obstacles in life.
In the show, Modi, a vegetarian himself, expressed his love for nature and that how disturbing nature and the environmental ecosystem around can prove disastrous for the existence of mankind in the future. Modi has also disclosed that he is taking a break off from his work for the first time in 18 years and that the vacation was very much needed to get his focus back on work.
Ten Tips for Travel Anxiety Management
The previous blog covered the potential causes of anxiety in a traveller. Simple they may seem, but they still require a fix somewhere to keep you on the move:
1. Planning ahead, as in everything, saves you valuable time and money. Going ahead, there are several travel management websites, mobile apps, software suite and tools, both paid and free, that help you plan things effectively in a wide range of travel functions.
2. Confront your fears head on. Even fear of flying or ‘Aviophobia’, in most cases, can be managed easily by not avoiding it, but giving it an earnest try. Developing a mental vision of your flying and safe landing to your destination helps. Also, consult with a good psychologist if problem persists.
3. Doing a quick warm-up, taking breathing exercises or bit of Yoga helps before you start off to travel. Check meditation exercise-related YouTube videos to calm down your senses and stay relaxed.
4. Don’t plan for a mega vacation to tone down your anxiety level. Pick a few locations locally and enjoy them to the full first. Take the familiar route and cover long distances by degrees.
5. Alcohol is a strict no-no. This is because it has the power to alter your brain and worse, it can only acerbate travel anxiety or depression. Go for moderate quantities of soda, coffee, and caffeinated drinks instead. Water is most recommended to raise your energy level any time.
6. Eat healthy foods that have low to moderate sugar quantities. Alternate ‘junk food’ with full meals and foods with carbohydrates. Try munching healthy snacks like granola or protein bars to eat on a plane and avoid foods with high fat content.
7. A travel companion can keep you motivated; give you a sense of personal security and help you pass through the security lines, terminals or boarding the plane without any tension.
8. Watching your favourite movies or listening to your favourite numbers can bring down your anxiety levels considerably. Refer to our previous blog on some of the all-time English movies worth watching aboard the plane.
9. There are many travel apps such as the SOAR available to alleviate anxiety and stress levels. The objective of such apps is to simulate your travel experience and take you through each step of the flight process virtually.
10. Talking to your doctor in case of acute anxiety levels and following medical instructions can help you cope with panic symptoms before travel.
World Tourism Day 2019 Celebrated on 27 September – Here’s What you Need to Know
World Tourism Day has been observed by the United Nations World Trade Organization internationally on the 27th September of every year ever since 1980. It is also the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27th September 1970, regarded as a milestone in global tourism.
The objective of the day is to raise awareness on the role played by tourism in fostering brotherhood within the global community, and how it actually influences social, political, economic and cultural values all over the globe. The theme for World Tourism Day 2019 would be “Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All”. India is playing host to this year’s World Tourism Day. Here are some of the salient points of World Tourism Day 2019:
1. Need for pushing new tourism and travel policies all over the world to create fresh jobs for the youth, especially women.
2. Jobs in tourism should be generated as it’s also a reflection of the impact of information and technology on the travel sector.
3. Though tourism can provide millions of job all over the world, it is highly understated. Figures show as much as 10 percent of the total jobs worldwide to have been generated by this evergreen sector.
4. Notably, India was chosen among the various countries of Asia because it abounds in a myriad of cultures, languages, traditions, arts, cuisines, history and even ethnicity.
In 2017 and 2018, the theme of the World Tourism Day was “Sustainable Tourism” and “Tourism and Digital Transformation” respectively.
In 1997, it was decided by the UNWTO General to select a host country every year to partner with the organization’s initiatives in the observance of World Tourism Day. But it was only in the 15th session of the organization held in Beijing, China in 2013 that the following of geographical order was decided for celebrating Word Tourism Day thereafter.
Ten Common Causes of Travel Anxiety
There have been several phobias associated with travel including fear of height, flying, water, etc. This is simply because no two individuals are the same person; also, the travel experience can be subjective for a number of reasons. Here is why you can be an anxious traveler:
1. Fear of flying, or technically ‘Aerophobia’, is the single biggest contributor towards preventing people from traveling abroad. Studies estimate that 25 million people in the US alone suffer from fear of flying. With many adopting the ‘all is well’ approach gingerly and flashing a wry grin, they would rather prefer to remain earthbound owing to their imaginary fears.
2. The best chances of business travel, relaxing outlets and family/friends reunions are lost forever if you don’t come out of your made-up phobias. Claustrophobia, for many, knew no bounds. For some are better off discussing the morning weather with the driver on the wheels than feeling a panic attack on the airplane.
3. A bitter previous travel experience can rankle future travel prospects. It might be due to bad travel planning, carrying overweight baggage, the hassle of having to maneuver through heavy traffic and so on.
4. Talk of negative travel experience, there are far too many for most of us. The point is that they shouldn’t stop you from traveling and having a whale of a time!
5. There are many who wouldn’t be willing to trade the comfort and security of home for anything. Travel, as for them, requires super-human efforts, and may not amuse them after all.
6. Also, the very thought of leaving the comfort of their nest can put some completely out of sorts, turning them averse to traveling.
7. Travelling to a new destination may generate unfounded fears particularly fueled by unverified online sources, unwarranted crime and violent reports, and even mainstream media, etc.
8. While the fear of the unknown may excite many, some may be simply repelled by the fact that it also has its own bundle of troubles, mostly imaginary.
9. Travel, by simple definition, is partying away from your daily grind, and this, for many, is challenging in several ways.
10. For some, taking a vacation means chewing over piles of unfinished chores staring them in the face…scaring them endlessly and robbing off the fun altogether during travel.
Ten Psychological Benefits of Travelling that will ‘WOW’ You
Travel definitely boasts some psychological benefits, and as a rule of thumb when you travel you aren’t alone. Here are 10 surprising benefits of travelling that will keep your mental health in top condition:
1. Travel boosts and pumps your adrenaline to a new level: generally, the anxiety that accompanies when packing your luggage, making through the traffic (good luck!), making last-minute travel bookings, first time flying can seem jittery at first, but therein lies the thrills, frills and all the fun of it.
2. Travelling is better than LinkedIn and Facebook combined to understand your personal or business network better. It enriches your multi-lingual ability especially when you are in no man’s land.
3. Travelling can solve long-standing personal or business issues and to prevent the same problem from recurring again. Sounds simple? A little bit of planning does help a long way!
4. Travel is a welcome breather from your daily mundane grind, especially if you are an IT executive or tech professional working long shifts.
5. People who travel a lot stay motivated and rejuvenated with a positive state of mind. They tend to stay happier and feel better compared to those who never leave the comfort of their home.
6. Travel alleviates fear and insecurity as travelling down to an uncharted territory generally increases the anxiety levels in a positive way.
7. It helps you view things from a different perspective. For example, cultural differences or language barriers can stand in the way of effective communication, and give way to miscommunication. Travelling helps shed aside cultural, social, geographical and religious differences.
8. The learning that comes out of travelling is invaluable. For a dynamic traveller, the world is a book and every page has some learning in it: learning stops the moment you don’t prefer to travel.
9. Recent research studies indicate that those who travel frequently have better cardiac health. This is because they tend to stay happy and get along well with others on and off the tour. This, in turn, improves team communication, project management skills, and camaraderie amongst colleagues and peers.
10. Surprisingly, you get better at working 5-figure or 6-figure numbers, as travel is all about allocation, planning and managing budget and learning to save a few bucks or so while shopping or booking a flight or accommodation.
