Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has said that foreign tourists arrivals in India will not touch pre- Covid-19 pandemic levels before 2023, International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) March survey found that 80% of visitors do not want to travel due to quarantine guidelines, mentioned CAPA.
CAPA’s Preliminary forecast shows that foreign tourists arrivals will increase to only over 18 million by 2030.
For foreign tourist arrivals, India is highly dependent on long-haul flights, said CAPA.
It further mentioned that such flights are anticipated to get improve more slowly than short-and medium-haul travel. It has estimated that 72% of people will tour by air for seeing friends and relatives at once the Coronavirus has contained.
CAPA explained, UK, US, Canada, China, Malaysia and Australia have been extremely infected by the pandemic, so, it paves the way for foreign visitors to India.
It further quoted that the inoculation of the Covid-19 vaccine is in the beginning stage across the globe, except the UK (34.3%) and the US (19.7%).
The anticipation of vaccine distribution in other countries is by late 2021, so the bulk of tourists come to India, CAPA asserted.
The IATA survey found that 56% of potential travellers will avoid their air journey unless the economy gets better. 66% of people believe that quarantine is not compulsory for inoculated passengers and 81% were ready to travel by air if vaccinated. The survey further mentioned 84% of people are reluctant to travel if there is a chance of quarantine.
“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,” CAPA said in its report.
“Although some travel may resume from winter 2021/22, meaningful recovery is unlikely until winter 2022-23 and pre-Covid volumes will probably not be achieved until winter 2023-24.” It added
Mohan Ranganathan, an Aviation safety consultant said there will be no revival in tourists arrivals before 2025.
“Tourist’s traffic will not commence even after the vaccinations are completed until restrictions imposed by the government are lifted,” he said. “Also, it is not possible for passengers to wear face shields and masks throughout long-haul… non-stop flights [for example] between the US and India. Hence it is safe to say that international tourism will not reach pre-Covid levels until the pandemic is brought under good control,” he added.
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