Page 75 - IBT October 2020

that is compatible with the safety
standards of the post-COVID-19
world. The entrepreneurs of the sector
will have to innovate ways to make
the tourists feel safe while spending
precious time with their families. The
implementation of the strategy might
be different depending on the nature
of tourists respective countries cater.
However, the marketing initiatives
should be centred on the new normal.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT: The hotel
and tourism industry is the hardest
hit from the pandemic and will
recover last from it. Governments
across the region must undertake this
fact under consideration and act with
a long term strategy to revive the
sector. The revival effort must be
The industry is related to the tourism industry; the based on a comprehensive approach;
the government should have a fiscal,
exceptionally impact is enormous on all the monetary and diplomatic approach to
entrepreneurs. The tourism sector is
pivotal for Nepal, essential for our country, none of the this situation.
and entrepreneurs other businesses, not most of the The respective governments should
are working with businesses will not survive without it. continue providing stimulus packages
the government to The Maldives Government is drawing and loans to ensure the stakeholders
of the industry survive this period.
ensure that all the up strategies to bring back tourism The pandemic has caused a lot of job
into the country. Strategies policies
stakeholders and guidelines have been put in place losses in the industry globally, as the
manage to weather that are developed based on research market is not going back to its initial
the storm. internationals case studies and growth rate, unemployment will keep
industry. persisting. The authorities should
provide financial support and
The panelists discussed on the facilitate employment and training for
The whole world is reeling pandemic. Shakeela, Former Cabinet ways to ensure a robust the growing unemployed pool.
from the deadliest pandemic In a discussion titled, Minister (Maldives), CEO, growth of th sector in the STRONGER DIPLOMATIC TIES:
in history. As the situation "RESTART ASIAN SIMDI Group and Mrs economy. Realistically, it will take region and highlighted some Strong diplomatic relations between
prolongs, economies around ECONOMIES: Ideas and Bhawani Rana (Nepal), another two to three years to take the key areas that the the countries has the potential to
the world have entered into a Actions for the Hotel President, Federation of sector back to its initial growth rate. stakeholders need to focus: change the region's economy and its
synchronised recession. The Industry", hosted by the Nepalese Chamber of She also points out that the industry DIVERSIFICATION OF TOURISM: not exclusively for the hotel industry.
economic fallout has Friedrich Naumann Commerce and Industry and is exceptionally pivotal for Nepal, and South Asian countries should look to Ensuring a smoother visa process and
multidimensional Foundation (FNF), the Managing Director of Hotel entrepreneurs are working with the diversify their respective tourism easing travel restrictions will
implications which will panellists discussed the Sneha Pvt Ltd. government to ensure that all the sector depending on their strengths. exponentially increase tourism and
persist for years to come. current state of the hotel Bhawani Rana expressed her stakeholders manage to weather the Every country in the region may not will facilitate a boom in the hotel
Undoubtedly, the tourism and industry. They explained the anguish about the current storm. Currently, they are working be capable of attracting the same type industry. It will generate millions in
hotel sector has been the magnitude of the crisis and situation. Her hotel, which is with the government to finalise a of visitors. Countries can specialise revenue for the respective
hardest hit from the its implications on the local near the Indian border in the revival package which will facilitate on the different types of tourism governments and create employment
economy. The interaction UP area, has seen the number much needed support the sector ranging from religious to medical. It opportunities for the growing young
facilitated the exchange of of guests tanking. The loss needs. will allow each country to specialise population. It can allow regional
ideas, challenges faced by the has been multidimensional, On the other hand, Dr Mariyam on the specific sector which will lead tourists the chance to enjoy cheaper
entrepreneurs and their not only in Nepal but for the Shakeela lamented that the impact to a drastic improvement in the holidays and the industry more
solutions as well as the role entire region. Because the has been worse than the 2004 quality of service. Concurrently, it will revenues as it will take some time for
of the government towards cross-border tourism industry Tsunami and the 2008 global allow the tourists more options and the European tourists to return to the
reviving the sector. prevalent for famous and financial crisis put together. Maldives better choices according to their region. The entrepreneurs are already
Moderated by Dr Nazmul adventure tourism has taken is a small island state, and this has a preferred type of travel. It can be done taking initiatives to accelerate
Hossain, Country a hit. The sector has grown unique vulnerability to external on a consensus basis among the regional tourism. They are working
Representative, FNF, exponentially in the past impacts. The economy has contracted nations in the regio on establishing private sector to
Bangladesh the session was decade and has become an significantly and all the businesses DESIGNING NEW EXPERIENCE: The private sector MOUs and advocating
panellists were Dr Mariyam essential part of the local are very much directly and indirectly panellists agreed on creating tourism the same between governments.

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