Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Travel and Tourism Industry of India and Middle East Nations

Travel and Tourism is one of the business sectors across the world that experienced a devastating effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic. All allied sectors of tourism were also affected by the pandemic in an unprecedented manner. The Tourism sector is one of the significant contributors to the GDP of many countries and the largest service industry, where a greater number of women and youth are employed. The Middle East nations and India which are highly reliant on international tourism for economic growth, have been seriously affected by the Pandemic. Apart from the mainstream, a large number of people are informally associated with the tourism sector for their livelihood all over the world. Tourism industry occupies a significant position in enhancing the demand for products and services from different sectors of the economy. In the post covid- period there is a drastic fall in the GDP contribution of the Tourism sector to the economy of Middle East countries and India. This chapter examines the impact of the Pandemic on the Travel & Tourism sector of Middle East nations and India, and proposes the strategies to overcome the present adversities and to revive the industry in the new normal situation even though there is uncertainty and challenges in the road ahead.