“To begin with, people will start taking weekend tours with 3 / 4 Days itinerary and for them; our state could be the choicest tourism destination having activity-filled tourism attractions.” – By Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director- Events and Marketing, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board.
1. COVID 19 hit the travel industry badly what you would like to say about it. How badly it affected MP Tourism?
Yes, there is no doubt that the travel industry all around the world is badly affected by the Virus attack, Madhya Pradesh tourism is also one of them which is very much affected, all of our stakeholders facing severe challenges, In major Hospitality sector (Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hoteliers, Resort Owners, Tourist Transport Operators, Tour Guides), Ancillary Business, and people who are indirectly related to the tourism industry have been very badly affected in terms of Revenue loss and Job loss. The livelihood of crores of People got affected because of lockdown.
2. What are the challenges you faced in the battle of COVID 19 and how did you overcome it to welcome back the tourists?
We have faced many challenges because of the Pandemic Covid-19 due to which tourist flow stopped completely, all the Hotels and destinations had to be closed, and cash flow was zero, all the staff left, people lost their jobs and people are out of Business.
To understand challenges we have conducted web meetings with all our stakeholders and discussed the losses and how the Government can help them to overcome this situation.
We have re-opened our hotels, resorts and destinations following all the safety and hygiene protocols, building confidence and trust amongst the travellers by promoting destinations through social media handle ensuring all the norms for safety against COVID-19.
To motivate domestic tourists of Neighboring States, to visit our State, small travel circuits have been designed & freedom itineraries and weekend packages are circulated for Short and enjoyable trips.
3. After opening the state for tourism, what are the measures taken by the MP Tourism for tourists in terms of safety during the coronavirus pandemic in India?
We are following all the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health regarding safety and hygiene & Ministry of Tourism, Government of India regarding the re-opening of tourist destinations and precautions to be taken from time to time.
Hotel guidelines, travel policies, have been prepared, SOP have been issued and instructions to follow the safety and hygiene guidelines have been circulated, Hotel staff, travel agents, tour operators, tour guides, drivers are intimated accordingly.
4. Which all are the states you are focusing to boom domestic tourism from India?
Madhya Pradesh being into Inbound Tourism promotion is very strong with its domestic tourism products, wildlife is one of them. We see the great potential after re-opening our destinations.
The first segment of the travellers we are looking to attract is people from within and neighbouring states coming to visit our tourist destinations. Madhya Pradesh is surrounded by 5 states and it is very easy to travel by car from neighbouring states to our State, we have a very good road network which connects major tourist destinations in the state. To begin with, people will start taking weekend tours with 3 / 4 Days itinerary and for them; our state could be the choicest tourism destination having activity filled tourism attractions. In order to inform and motivate domestic tourists of Neighboring States, to visit our State, small travel circuits have been designed & itineraries prepared for Short and enjoyable Road trips.
5. Madhya Pradesh has great popularity in the international market for tourism. Moreover, Madhya Pradesh witnesses a great number of foreign tourists annually. Do you feel it will impact the MP Tourism? How MP Tourism is going to balance it now and when we can expect international tourists in MP again?
Yes, Madhya Pradesh witnesses a good number of foreign tourists annually, and as the pandemic is spreading all over the world, Madhya Pradesh Tourism is also affected, but we are trying to balance this by aggressively promoting domestic tourism and trying more and more domestic tourists visit our state.
As and when the Government of India allows foreign tourists to visit our Country, we are sure they will visit our State also.
6. Please convey your message to our audience
Madhya Pradesh has re-opened its Hotels, Resorts and other services and facilities following all New Safety and Hygiene Guidelines and now welcoming the Tourists“IntezaarAapka”