The biggest challenge for the Tourism department is to revive tourism activities after the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved. Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said this while chairing a video conference with all the district tourism officers to review the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on tourism sector and progress of various departmental schemes in the state.
Jawalkar said that the pandemic had affected the tourism business considerably. The State government is undertaking necessary steps to provide possible relief and relaxations to those involved in the tourism business. Information is being collected from the district level for this so that the steps to be taken by the government can be executed effectively. Stating that reviving tourism activities in the post-pandemic times is the biggest challenge facing the department, he said that directions have been issued to all district tourism officers for effective implementation of the government’s self employment schemes in their respective districts.
Infrastructural works underway as part of the 13 districts 13 destinations scheme were also reviewed in the video conference. All the district tourism development officers have been directed to maintain establish communication with the general public while maintaining social distancing and encourage online applications for various schemes.