Restart and Revival of Tourism and Hospitality Post COVID-19: Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism

This book aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Indian tourism and hospitality industry comprehensively with the help of different approaches, frameworks, techniques and methods both qualitatively and quantitatively. Based on the impact assessment, both long and short term strategies are demonstrated for the restart and revival of tourism and hospitality post COVID-19. In this context, we have invited and interviewed many experts (Academician and Industry professionals) from tourism and hospitality, who are first hand witnessed of the pandemic. All in all, empirical findings of this book suggested that tourism and hospitality professionals, stakeholders, tourism boards, and policy makers need to focus and promote sustainable and inclusive tourism. Additionally, present research work has significant contribution to available literature and future researches in view of restart and revival of tourism and hospitality from any such crisis and pandemic.

Mr. Priyadarshan Lakhawat, Principal, IHM Jaipur is a two time National award winner for the Best Teacher in Hospitality Education from Ministry of Tourism besides numerous other accolades including Best Employee award at Oberoi Hotels and Indian Hospitality Educator’s award. An alumnus of IHM Bhopal, he has nearly 25 years of academic experience at institutes like IHM Ahmedabad, IHM Gurdaspur, IHM Jaipur including a two year stint at National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology as Dy. Director (Academics & Training). Mr. Lakhawat is a Master Trainer for Certified Learning Facilitator program of NCHMCT. He has been a member of the syllabus committee for NCHMCT and also for the CBSE.

Sunil Tiwari,Ph.D. is a Researcher & Academician by profession and working with Ambedkar University Delhi, India, as an Assistant Professor. He was Gold Medalist in UG and PG, and holds BSc, M.B.A. and Ph.

COVID-19 and the Indian Tourism & Hospitality Industry: Impact, Challenges and Revival Strategies examines the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on India's tourism and hospitality sector through a comprehensive combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The pandemic created unprecedented disruptions across tourism destinations, hospitality businesses, transportation services, employment, consumer behaviour, and related economic activities. This book provides a systematic assessment of these challenges while exploring practical pathways for the recovery and revival of the sector.

The book employs a range of research approaches, analytical frameworks, techniques, and methodologies to examine the effects of the pandemic from multiple perspectives. By combining empirical evidence with expert insights, it seeks to provide a deeper understanding of how the crisis affected tourism and hospitality stakeholders and how the industry responded to rapidly changing circumstances.

An important feature of the book is the inclusion of expert perspectives from academicians and industry professionals who experienced the pandemic and its consequences firsthand. Through interviews and discussions with these experts, the book captures practical experiences, observations, and recommendations concerning the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry. These perspectives complement the empirical findings and provide a more comprehensive picture of the sector during and after the crisis.

Based on the assessment of the pandemic's impact, the book presents short-term and long-term strategies for restarting and revitalizing tourism and hospitality. These strategies focus on strengthening the industry's resilience, responding to changing traveller expectations, addressing emerging risks, and creating more sustainable approaches to tourism development. The book emphasizes that recovery should not simply seek to restore pre-pandemic practices but should also provide an opportunity to build a more resilient and adaptable tourism ecosystem.

A major conclusion emerging from the research is the need to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism. Tourism professionals, industry stakeholders, tourism boards, policymakers, and other concerned organizations have an important role to play in developing tourism models that are environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, economically viable, and better prepared to withstand future disruptions.

The book also contributes to the growing body of academic literature on tourism crises and recovery. Its empirical findings and strategic recommendations can serve as a reference for understanding how tourism and hospitality sectors may respond to future pandemics, disasters, economic disruptions, and other unforeseen crises.

Overall, COVID-19 and the Indian Tourism & Hospitality Industry: Impact, Challenges and Revival Strategies provides a multidimensional examination of one of the most significant crises faced by the tourism sector in recent history. It combines research-based evidence, expert experiences, analytical perspectives, and practical strategies to offer valuable insights into the recovery and future development of Indian tourism and hospitality.

The book will be useful for students, researchers, academicians, tourism and hospitality professionals, industry stakeholders, tourism boards, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand the impact of COVID-19 and develop effective strategies for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism in the face of future challenges.