The global outbreak of COVID 19 has demolished the global economy and there are no qualms that the tourism & hospitality industry is exception. The impact is so huge that it is expected that it will take time to recover from the situation; however recovery still seems to be somewhere far. The tourism is expected to change, it is certain that businesses are going to change. It is sure that movement of people is going to change its course and destinations. In due course of discussions on the situation an idea of 'Tourism in Quarantine' came into picture. However there are different type of speculations about this form of tourism. Therefore tourism academia needs your valuable inputs on the theme of 'Tourism in Quarantine: Possibilities?' .

1. Tourism in Quarantine
Possibilities
Ankit Sood
Ecotourism Planner (HP Tourism)
Managing Host ( Sunshine Himalayan Group)

2. Covid 19 – An opportunity to rethink tourism
Quarantine- Controlled , Isolated , Seclusion
or in other positive words
Sustainable , Experiential , Not on the Map, Responsible Tourism
Being Aware of our existence & our effects
Time to rethink about mass tourism & give way to experiential high value
tourism – A tourism which is safe for people to visit & people who live.
Adapt & provide solutions – The responsible business of people – Tourism
Education is the right start

3. Quarantine Tourism – Perception
 When we were kids we used to be put in quarantine
on doing something wrong – time was to self reflect
and now nature has put us in quarantine – time to
rethink
 Tourism in Quarantine- Responsible Travel to
undisturbed places of natural , cultural or social
heritage based on sustainable carrying capacity to
make better destinations for people to visit &
empowering locals to stay !

4. What is the World doing when its
opening up
 World is experimenting with three scenarios- Eradication (
New Zealand , Australia) , Controlled Exposure ( India, US,
Europe), Herd Immunity ( Sweden , Denmark , Brazil)
 Tourists/People are being monitored through mobile phone
based electronic systems ( Taiwan , India) , Location tracking
wrist bands ( Hongkong) , Texting citizens ( Singapore) ,
Satellite Technology ( Israel , South Korea)
 But one feels that some form of quarantining has always
been in place through strict visa regimes, controlled entry –
Bhutan Model which brings us back to rethinking certain
aspects of tourism

5. Prerequisites of Quarantine Tourism
 A strong Public Health Monitoring System
 Phased Stages of Letting tourists venture into states
 Air Bridges- Destination Bridges
 Correct Safety Protocols in place
 Strong Social Monitoring
 Targeted Refined Approach – Niche Travellers
 Strong Marketing Mechanism funded by state
developed by ground tourism hoteliers & tour operators
 Look for new countries to market with small or
similar covid rate especially the ones which have airport
connectivity to Amritsar & Chandigarh

6. Pre-requisites for Opening
 Baseline Awareness & Training – Every Resident, Guest and Workers in
Hospitality
 5 Minute Tests on site
 Defined Tour Operation through responsible tour operators
 Social Cooperation in locals & Authoritarian Zeal for state government
 Quarantine Tourism – Space will be of utmost value
 Providing adequate hygienic food , water, protection for baggage ,
communication , respect and dignity of travellers,
 Practical Adjustments- Buffet in plates, Small group travels
 Evolve through Experience

7. USP of Himachal for Quarantined
Tourism
 Low Infection Rate
 Geographic Isolation
 Opportunity to show the new Himachal
 Community Based Tourism in Himachal – Preparing Himachal for a new
responsible tourism
 Staycation – Tailored Approach for each area & Homestay
 14 day experiential isolation programs – Wellness Centres, Yoga
& Meditation Courses , Mountaineering Tours, Trekking Tours,
Cultural Interpretive tourism , Birding & wildlife tours, Angling Tours,
WOOFING ( Working on Other Organic Farms)

8. The Pause & the Path
The Truth Is
I don’t think we can change the
world.
All we can do is change our minds.
And that is a good place to start.
The virus is not our enemy.
The virus is a part of nature...
doing what it does.
This did not happen to us.
It’s not even something we did.
This is something that we continue to do
Something that will keep on happening
Until we – you and I – start doing different
things……………………..
Differently.
Jai Hind
Jai Himachal