COVID-19 AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY (SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MARATHWADA REGION)

Abstract

The COVID-19 is unprecedented in nature as it has caused upheavals among people worldwide, with the travel and tourism sector being among the most impacted. India being a country with varied tourism sites had witnessed a huge drop in both domestic and international tourism. This article discusses how COVID-19 has affected the travel and tourism sector in India and in particular its Marathwada state, which is located at the state of Maharashtra. The study identifies lost revenue, employment crisis, the loss of domestic and foreign tourists (Arrivals) in the areas and mobility problems of the industry, in terms of an online survey carried out among 20 respondents in the 3 districts of Aurangabad, Latur, and Beed. Secondary sources like government reports, research articles and news publications were also examined. The report indicates that tourism developed in Marathwada that is blessed with a number of heritage sites including Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara, and other cultural heritage was badly hit. Suggestions on the strategies of revival, including governmental and tourism promotion and safety on the health tourism issues, are described at the end of the paper.