Webinar discusses managing new normal in travel, tourism industry

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 20

The University Business School of Guru Nanak Dev University organised a webinar on managing the ill-effects of Covid-19 on the travel and tourism, hospitality, aviation and retail (THAR) sectors.

During the webinar, experts discussed the solutions to the industry distress. Key speakers for the webinar were Raj Raghavan, senior vice president, Indigo Airlines; Srinivasa Rao, director of talent and culture, Pullman-Novotel, New Delhi; Venkataramana B, group president, Landmark Group; and Ganesh Subramanian, chief human resources officer, More Retail Limited.

Dr Jasveen Kaur, chairperson and head of the University Business School, said businesses are on their knees worldwide since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The mighty THAR sectors are struggling to balance their envisaged growth against the current scenario and will have to adapt to a new normal to find an economic oasis by adopting innovative initiatives. Social distancing is the new mantra. Sanitisers, masks, gloves and face shields will be the new travel accessories. With current indications, the lockdown may drag on till the end of this year with varying intensities and impositions. The pick-up of the travel and tourism, aviation, hospitality and retail industries is the farthest in that chain as these are linked to the return of normalcy,” she said.

The experts delineated that the aviation industry would grow at a low rate and probably would take 12 to 18 months to bounce back. Although the luxury segment of the branded hotels has been impacted badly due to this global pandemic, occupancy level in India could have a greater opportunity to recover faster as compared to other European and American counterparts.

“However, the major concern is to address guests’ physical and mental hesitations related to safety in hotels and restaurants. Besides, SOPs are being adopted to meet that,” she said.

“Restructuring, rightsising and downsising may be a need of the hour,” she said.

The webinar was attended by more than 250 participants, majorly students and faculty members.