AFFLICTED BY THE PANDEMIC: THE INDUSTRY OF TOURISM

As we continue to sail through the inflictions of the pandemic, we look back on days that have undoubtedly left a mark in our lives, superficial or profound. The chaos that fell upon humanity silenced the tourist attractions around the world and reduced tens of thousands of people, whose lives depended upon tourism, to tears. 

 What exactly happened?

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS – COV) previously known as 2019 – n COV has challenged the global health scenario, affecting not only human health and welfare but also the political, social and economic conduct of numerous countries around the world. The SARS- COV 2 is highly communicable and spreads very rapidly. In a meeting on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern as it had spread to 192 countries. On March 11, 2020, WHO declared the COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Along with several other spheres of economy, COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the tourism industry around the world.  This is mainly due to the travel restrictions that were implemented in different countries. Travellers have also been less during this period because of the same. Major tourist attraction sites like museums, amusement parks, sports venues, historical structures, places of natural beauty have been closed down for an indefinite time.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization stated that global international tourist arrivals have potentially decreased by 58% to 78% in 2020, leading to loss of 0.9 to 1.2 trillion US dollars in international tourism receipts. Planned travel went down by 80% to 90% in many prominent cities of the world. A 65% drop in international tourist arrivals was reported in the first 6 months of 2020 by the UNWTO.

The COVID-19 pandemic has handicapped the Indian travel and tourism industry as well. The entire sector will probably lose around Rs. 5 lakh crore or 65.57 billion dollars according to a study by industry chamber CII and hospitality consulting firm Hotelivate. Among these, the organized sector is likely to lose 2.5 billion dollars. In this atrocious crisis, all geographical segments like inbound, outbound, domestic; all tourism verticals like leisure, adventure, heritage, cruise, corporate and niche segments are affected. From October 2020 until the beginning of 2021, only 30% hotels have been occupied. This has seen an 80 to 85% erosion in revenue. The estimated loss in hotel for both branded and unbranded segments in 2020 was 19.31 billion dollars. The loss for travel agents and tour operators was around 4.77 billion dollars.

 Like most other states, the pandemic has also severely impacted the tourism economy of northeast India, thereby obstructing the growth of the same. Being an abode of natural beauty and scenic pleasure, the tourism industry of the region and the local brands continue to bear the burden of the pandemic due to uncertainty and confusion among stakeholders. Although there were reports of places opening up in December 2020, the deadly second wave that sprawled across the country continues to plague the industry. Moreover, lack of uniform protocol throughout the region also disrupted the seamless flow of tourists beginning this year.  

However, with the improvement in the COVID-19 scenario and removal of travel restrictions and lockdowns, and increasing flow of tourists, the tourism industry will definitely get the much needed boost.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISIT GOALPARA

Isn’t it worthwhile to know about a place before visiting?

Here is your ultimate guide to yet another striking place of Assam.

           Sri Surya Pahar | image credit: Prerana Das

                                              

 Often referred to as the land of Blue hills and Red river, Assam is endowed with not only a wide range of flora and fauna but also a rich history. The term Assam is believed to have originated from the word Ahom. The Ahoms were the rulers of the Brahmaputra Valley from the 12th to the 18th centuries. After the advent of the British rule in Assam, the term “Assam” was originally used for the tract of land ruled by the Ahoms. It was subsequently used to refer to the six districts of Brahmaputra Valley, Manipur, Surma Valley and the nearby Hill Districts.

The Hindu epics, the Pauranik and Tantrik Literature contain numerous references to ancient Assam. There is a constant mention of the great kingdom of Kamarupa of North East India in the Mahabharata, the Kalika Puran, the Vishnu Puran and the Jogini Tantra. Travellers and historians have been quite marvelled at the natural beauty of the region. Many of them have described about the fertile soil of the Brahmaputra Valley and have been enthralled by the damp and relaxing climate. They were amazed by the great prosperity and degree of civilization excelling in wide variety of arts.

One such place in Assam that caught the interest of travellers and historians, alike, since time immemorial is Goalpara.

Situated 134 kilometres to the west of Guwahati, Goalpara is a famous district of Assam. The name Goalpara is believed to have originated from the word "Gwaltippika" meaning Guwali village, or ‘The village of the milk men’. The word ‘para’ means village in local dialect.  The history of Goalpara is several centuries old. Sir Edward Gait in his book on the history of Assam mentioned that the erstwhile capital of the state of Kumar Bhaskar Varman was either in Goalpara or Coochbehar based on the Chronicles of the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. It was a princely state ruled by the Rajbongshi kings who were also the rulers of the undivided kingdom of Coochbehar. The Goalpara district came under British Rule in 1765. The British annexed Assam in 1826. The original Goalpara district was first created in 1822 A.D. by David Scott- an employee of East India Company, who was the first Commissioner of newly created North East Rangpur district Hd. Qr. at Rangpur town(now in Bangladesh) and newly created Goalpara district was also tagged with North-East Rangpur district for administration. The erstwhile Bijni Kingdom's area which included the undivided Garo Hills district area also constituted the original Goalpara district area in 1822. In 1866 Garo Hills was separated from Goalpara district area and in the same year a new district named "Greater Koch Behar" was created and the residual portion of Goalpara district was withdrawn from Rangpur and tagged with Koch Behar. The British Government created the Assam Valley Province in 1874. The Goalpara district was made a part of the Assam Valley Province with its headquarters in Dhubri. This state of affairs continued during the British Reign. In 1983 the Goalpara District was carved out by integrating the Goalpara Sadar sub-division and North Salmara Civil sub-division. The district was again reorganised in 1989 wherein the North Salmara Civil Subdivision was merged with the Bongaigaon District. Now it consists of an area of 1824 square km bounded by West and East Garo Hill districts of Meghalaya on the South, Kamrup district on the East, Dhubri district on the West and mighty river Brahmaputra all along the Northern boundary.

Goalpara is bestowed with natural scenic beauty and a treasure trove of historical sites. It is home to stunning landscapes, rich culture and ancient structures. The Hulukanda Hill, with various kinds of waterfowl and monkeys located in the heart of Goalpara, on the bank of the Brahmaputra River, is a major sight of attraction in the town. Some other water bodies are Hashila beel, Kumri beel, Dhamar Risen beel and Urpad Beel. The Urpad Beel is a natural space for migratory birds from the months of October to March. A rippling landscape is created by the evergreen forests present on its low hills.

The most significant archaeological site and a place of historical importance in Goalpara is the Sri Surjya Pahar. The cultural heritage of the three ancient Indian religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are on full display at this place. The Dadan Hill consists of a Shiva Temple on its top. The temple was built by Dadan, a general of the army of King Bana of Sonitpur. Many mythological stories of the past are related to this mystical hill.

 Pir Majhar, a tomb of a saint named Hazarat Sayed Abul Kashem Kharasani, a saint respected by Hindus and Muslims alike is situated at the heart of the Goalpara town.

Sri Tukreswari hill and Paglartek Baba at Barbhita are other notable places of attraction in Goalpara District.

So, if you are planning to visit the beautiful state of Assam, make sure to explore the historical and ancient district of Goalpara and don’t forget to enlighten your friends and family with our ultimate guide.

 

Stay safe

Until the next time.