Dr HS Paul
New Delhi, June 3: Foundation for Aviation and Sustainable Tourism (FAST) organized a webinar on the issues concerning Travel and Tourism Sector titled “Preparing Today for Travel and Tourism Tomorrow”.
Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General (Tourism) Government of India addressed the participants as a key speaker.
Lt General KM Seth, President FAST and Former Governor Tripura and Chhattisgarh, MP Bezbaruah, IAS (Retd) Former Secretary Tourism, GoI and Permanent Representative UN-WTO, Vinod Zutshi, IAS (Retd) Former Secretary Tourism GoI and VP Agrawal, Vice President, FAST and former Chairman, Airports Authority of India took part in the deliberations.
While addressing the participants, Rupinder Brar said that the Government is proactive and working with open mind in considering the various measures for supporting the tourism sector for its survival. She underlined the need to develop the Domestic Circuits, Short Visit Destinations, Identifying the Unknown Tourist Areas and Spots for Investment and Development, apart from developing a communication campaign to showcase the local art and culture, handicrafts, etc.
She further said that the Government has started the consultation process with Industries, Associates and other stakeholders and also plan to hold 25 Webinars over a period of time to connect with more and more stakeholders involved in the process.
MP Bezbaruah stressed the need to face and fight the challenges collectively and also try to reduce the fear of uncertainty from the mind of stakeholders and focus on skilling, communication and operational efficiency of the sector. He suggested that we have to develop more domestic circuits, places of visit, improve the tourist places and also attract more investments for creating amenities and facilities to attract the visitors.
While moderating the deliberations, Vinod Zutshi said that the Lockdown has provided new opportunities for creating new business models including identifying local tourist places and intra region domestic tourist circuits. Business and industries are required to work on these areas quickly, he added. He was optimistic and expressed the hope that the travel and tourism sector will certainly come back to normalcy with more and more opportunities and growth avenues.
Earlier while giving the welcome address, Lt Gen KM Seth canvassed the travel and tourism scenarios in the country in general and in particular the gloom that has engulfed the sector as an impact of COVID-19. He laid down the foundation for deliberations and revival of the sector by the learned speakers. He emphasized the role of FAST as a key facilitator between the industry, the Government and the stakeholders.
VP Agrawal while summing up the Webinar proceedings thanked the speakers and participants particularly the large number of attendees who took in the Webinar from across the globe. He stressed upon the need for revival of this key sector through financial support and other incentives.
Gurmukh Singh Bawa, former General Manager (PR), Airports Authority of India anchored the Webinar proceedings and aptly introduced the FAST to the attendees.
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