One Day Webinar on

“Impact of Covid-19 on Travel & Tourism Sector of Assam”

on 4^th July,2020

Organised Jointly by

Dept. of Commerce and Economics

CKB College, Teok

P.O. Jogduar-780112, Dist. Jorhat, Assam

About the Webinar

The COVID-19 outbreak has left a unbearable impact on the tourism scenario of Assam. It has also led a crippling blow to the global tourism and associated sectors. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that 75 million travel and tourism jobs are at risk globally due to COVID19 pandemic. The Indian scenario is also not satisfactory with the assessment by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) of an impact of around 60-65% of projected revenue of $28 billion from October 2019-March 2020 in the tourism sector.

Given the backdrop of the above scenario, Assam is one among the hard-hit states with regard to the tourism industry. The whole tourism value chain across hotels, restaurants, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators as well as dhabas and fast food businesses directly or indirectly associated with the tourism sector in the state have seriously threatened. There is an estimated loss of around 60 crores of income by the tour agencies alone in the state.  A loss of revenue of around Rs 500 crore is estimated by the government from the state tourism industry. Assam tourism engages, directly or indirectly, around 1 million of its population. Therefore, the pandemic is expected to leave a huge surge of unemployment rate in the state in the coming days.

Though Assam sees an all-weather inflow of tourists in different parts of its region, yet the period right from the month of October to May is estimated to be the best period for tourism in the state as the period is popularly known as the festive season in Assam. This is also a period of rejoice and joyfulness due to the onset of Bohag Bihu and the colourful transformation of natural beauties, flora and fauna.  In such a crucial period for the state’s income and revenue generation, the COVID19 pandemic has been a bane for the state and its people. Experts opine that this would bear an impact, not too short.

Under the backdrop of such a critical juncture, as academician, it is our pure duty to do something about it as it is the high time to sort out a future course of action and an effective parameter to revive our tourism sector. That is why this webinar is all about.