NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 26
The travel and tourism industry is one of the worst affected industries during the global pandemic. There will be no surprise to see changes in many policies and terms for this industry in the near future. Post-COVID-19 the trend of local tourism will be excelling more than international tourism. And Gujarat has a wider scope for the tourism and hospitality industry to flourish, say hospitality sector experts.
FICCI FLO Ahmedabad chapter recently held an enlightening session on “How to be a smart traveller post-COVID-19″ in the presence of Taruna Patel (Chairman & Committee Members, FICCI FLO Ahmedabad). Renowned travel expert Shoba Mohan, Founding Partner, RARE India, spearheaded the session.
During the interactive session, FLO Members discussed, what could be the travel trends post-COVID & also learned about the concept of responsible and sustainable tourism, which is the core foundation of RARE India.
During the session, Shoba Mohan threw some light on many facets related to travel and tourism. While talking about the sustainable market, she said, “It is a stable market, with many industrial opportunities. People can put ancient initiatives in it, which can create wonders for the travel industry; there are various ways to experience Real India.”
She further shared, “No usage of single-use plastic & safe garbage disposal, taking care of water heritage, wildlife & forest conservation, supporting low impact tourism, encouraging local community engagement by promoting their craft, art, folk & farm product, discovering local festivals & destination is the heart of responsible & sustainable tourism.”
She further glorified about the best places that can be explored near Ahmedabad. Kathiwada Raj Mahal near Vadodara, Devigarh near Udaipur, Ranakpur in Rajasthan are among others. Gujarat has tourism in remote areas in boutique properties, which has indoor luxuries and outdoors with the less local crowd, dust, and large greenery with thick forest for peace & pleasure lovers.
She also spoke on the tourism campaigns by different states like “Bharat ka Dil Dekho” by Madhya Pradesh Government, “Kuch Pal Toh Gujaro Gujarat me” & “Kutch Nai Dekha to Kuch Nahi Dekha” by Government of Gujarat and “Dekho Apna Desh” by Government of India. The purpose of these campaigns is to accelerate local tourism in India and grab the attention of travelers.
While sharing her views on responsible & sustainable tourism, FLO Chairperson, Taruna Patel, shared, “Our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned his plans of visiting 15 destinations outside the state by 2022. Taking inspiration from that, we, at FICCI FLO Ahmedabad, have pledged to visit a few of the best and sustainable places outside the state post-COVID-19.”
