A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF IMPACT OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) ON TOURISM SECTOR OF INDIA

The study aims to analyze the preliminary impacts of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on travel and tourism sector of India. The pandemic has shown its effect on almost every sector worldwide. However, the tourism sector seems to be affected severely. The pandemic seems to have affected every segment of Indian tourism sector which includes Travel Trade, Hospitality, Aviation, Transportation, Restaurant, Tour Guide, Handicraft, etc. The United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is exploring the severe impact of coronavirus on global travel and tourism sector in association with World Health Organization (WHO). In order to contain the spread of Coronavirus, most of the countries including India have resorted to "Lockdown" which seems to have resulted in large number of job loss in tourism sector. The cancellation of all modes of travel such as Air, water and road, closing of international as well as interstate boarders in the country and cancellation of hotel reservations seem to have the devastating effects on tourism sector of India.