What does reopening look like?

With the government slowly easing restrictions on the lockdown and opening up the country in a calibrated manner, some travel business have also commenced operations. As we enter the ‘new normal’ with an increased focus on hygiene and sanitation, here is what industry stakeholders have to say about it…

Deepak Narula, Managing Director, GRN Connect

We used this as an opportunity and made changes at all levels – we made a new global sales strategy and made changes to how we reward our people. This new normal is a temporary phase and once the vaccine is in place, this will be taken as just another virus. There is already movement in the global hotel booking business and I think that after four months, business will get a boost.

Naresh Arora, Managing Director, Trulyy India Hotels

Taking all necessary steps in accordance with WHO and government guidelines, Trulyy India hotels are opening up their doors for visitors in a phased manner from July 15, 2020. People will be more mindful of their responsibility towards the environment and fellow travellers. Communication will play a lead role in reaching out to guests, and needs to be done subtly.

Chandi Patnaik, Owner, Travel at Blue

Travel in this scenario is radically and unrecognisably different. Travellers needs more personal assistance and guidance before travelling. We, as our endeavour, are gearing up to provide customer a safe, secure and seamless journeys. The industry is expected to reboot in the new normal. We do not even expect the previous level of business in the next financial year. The
industry has to reinvent.

Suresh Periwal, Managing Director, Clubside Tours and Travels

We have not started opening on a regular basis at the moment and we don’t intend to do that for another month, maybe more. July to September is conventionally the better period of the year for us, so any business that we can expect could only be sometime beginning October or then onwards. There will be a greater emphasis on hygiene and adherence to SOPs. We have an opportunity to try and attract tourists to smaller destinations.

Ruhani Duggal, Director, Minar Group

Our bet is on the domestic traveller this season, given that international travel will take time to resume and pick up pace. Domestic gems like Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar, Meghalaya and Sikkim have done a commendable job dealing with the pandemic; their COVID-19 cases are amongst the lowest in the country. These places could see a controlled influx of domestic travellers.

Pankaj Nagpal, Managing Director, Travstarz Global Group

We plan to restart from July 1, subject to any further government update. We do have some plans in place, since COVID-19 gave us some opportunities to tap new areas in the near future. I think, right now it is more of a panic situation and fear psychosis prevails. We need to overcome this and come to terms with the reality and start leading a normal life with necessary precautions.

Inputs by Manas Dwivedi