Himachal, Uttarakhand, Goa And Kashmir Are Open For Tourism, But Is It The Right Time To Do It?

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything that we have experienced in living memory and the normal life as we knew it ceased to exist a long time ago. With the uncertainty still looming, we are not sure if and when our lives will go back to being 'normal'.

While COVID-19 did not spare any, it particular devastated the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Just like around the world, the COVID-19 took a pounding on several tourism dependant states in India, including Goa, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, etc.

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Though a lot of industries have gone back to being normal or adjusted to the 'new normal' after lockdown restrictions were ended and the unlock process began.

While the tourism industry has also been allowed to resume, business is yet to pick up and nobody knows when it will.

The industry has been crying for help for long as millions, whose livelihoods depend on the tourism revenues have been left in the lurch, with an uncertain future.

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Tourism dependent states slowly opening up

Several tourism dependant states are slowly opening up, on the hope that business will pick up despite the fact that in all the states, the COVID-19 curve is on the rise and people are yet to gain confidence about traveling, or being out in the public.

One of the first states to announce that it is ready to welcome visitors was tourist hotspot Goa. The beach state opened its gates for tourists last week. But what followed since is not promising.

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Most of the hotels are yet to receive any bookings or those who have, saw around 10 percent occupancy.

That too, are not tourists in the real sense as most of them are on official visits, to factories, offices or clients.

Himachal Pradesh opened for a week now

Another state that has been open for nearly a week is Himachal Pradesh, where tourists who wish to visit the state have to adhere to the guidelines issued by the government including registering themselves on the official web portal 48 hours before visiting under tourist category, carry certificate (RT-PCR) issued by ICMR certified laboratory with a negative report and this should not be more than 72 hours.

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They should also have a confirmed booking for a minimum of five days.

And in the five days since the state opened for tourists Himachal welcomed around 700 visitors from outside.

Incidentally, a good portion of the hoteliers and locals do not want visitors from outside the state as they fear that the tourist could spread the deadly virus.

Neighbouring Uttarakhand is also opening up for tourists, but again with similar preconditions for visitors. While there are no restrictions on Uttarakhand residents, those coming from outside should carry a COVID-19 negative certificate and should have a confirmed hotel booking for seven days.

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Kashmir the latest to open

On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir became the latest to open its doors to domestic tourists. In the first phase, only tourists arriving via air will be allowed in the UT.

All tourists must have confirmed hotel bookings for the duration of their stay and should pre-book accommodation online in hotels, houseboats or guesthouses and cabs.

Unlike others, those visiting Kashmir will have to undergo RT-PCR testing and only after the result shows a negative for COVID-19, tourists will be allowed to their hotel rooms.

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There is no doubt that the tourism industry needs a boost and visitors at this critical moment to survive, only time will tell if we opened up a little too early.