Addressing the effect of COVID19 pandemic on the Tourism Industry in Haridwar and Dehradun Districts of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The World Travel and Tourism Council has said “The coronavirus COVID19 epidemic is putting up to 50 million jobs in the global travel and tourism sector at risk, with travel likely to slump by a quarter this year, Asia being the most affected continent”. The predictions being flashed by the world economic forum about the travel & tourism industry is also reflected in North India tourism industry. Hence, the study aimed to address and evaluate the effect of COVID19 on Uttarakhand tourism, especially, on the site of Haridwar and Dehradun as they are the entry to the gateway of Major Char Dham Yatra of Himalaya, and where all India tourists arrive since centuries. The prime focus of the study was to review and investigate the people's reaction towards the pandemic situation and how it had affected the working as well as livelihood of people associated with Tourism and hospitality in this region of Uttarakhand. The study did a online survey through self-prepared 20 questions questionnaire.  The study indicates before and COVID19 pandemic affected nearly 60% respondents for their professional working and many were affected with payment schedules. The majority of the respondents (78.4%) were very much positive and had faith for the bright future besides happy to spend time with family. In addition, the study showed a strong response from participants for the need of the change in the service of the tourism industry indicating a change for its survival with the present threat possibly through finding solutions such as local tourism, spiritual collective effort and support.