With the increasing number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, the tourism industry in Odisha has faced a big blow as more than 50 percent of tourists, including inbound and outbound, have canceled their trips scheduled for summer, monsoon, and early winter periods.
In light of the global effects of COVID-19, the world’s biggest travel expo, five-day International Tourism Bourse (ITB) Berlin, has been canceled for the first time in its 54 year history. The Odisha government has postponed its three international tourism roadshows that were scheduled during the end of March and early April at Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Bali, as confirmed by Tourism Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev.
“There is also little chance of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) at Jaipur that is attended by more than 300 foreign buyers. It is its 13th year and was planned in April. Though we have not been apprised about its status, going by the trend the chances of holding the event are remote. Things are very lean for the tourism sector” added Dev.
Due to the temporary suspension of visas to people from China and other affected countries, leisure and business travel has taken a hit. The tour operators of the state are facing huge losses due to this reason.
The estimated loss for the tourism industry is approximated at Rs 500 crore, the effect of which might be faced by the job sector.