What innovations would enable the tourism and hospitality industry in India to re-build?

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities that the Indian Tourism and Hospitality faces to rebuild itself. The questions discussed include: what is to be done, the role of the Government at the Federal and Provincial level and how should the stakeholders of the tourism ecosystem play out?Design/methodology/approachThe 2020 expectation for Indian Tourism was for a bumper year, a year that would be remembered, but then the pandemic proved to be devastating. This article is based on secondary literature and discussions with industry representatives, which provide guidance and pointers for future preparedness.FindingsThe industry went from a difficult situation during the lockdowns, to a scenario of hope and opportunity initiated by domestic travellers, who provided a ray of hope for tourism stakeholders.Social implicationsIn the wake of the pandemic, businesses suffered from a lack of business; people lost jobs, travel came to a standstill and so it was mitigation that was important. The way the tourism ecosystem sought to return to normal and build on it for future has a number of implications for relevant changes to society.Originality/valueResilience, restructuring and renewal have characterised the tourism business in India and this paper investigates new dimensions for innovatively managing the situation.