The COVID story, as it unfolds, has among things, taken a toll of virtually every single tourism related event in the last six weeks. First ITB China was called off, then ITB India and finally ITB Berlin as well. All three ITB events stand cancelled for this year! IMEX Frankfurt was the next in line. Closer home, it was first HICSA in Mumbai, BITB India Tourism Conclave in Delhi and then GITB in Jaipur! All nailed to the ground. There is no event in sight, except the daily apprehension, and prayers with folded hands, that we are victorious in containing the virus, in India and indeed elsewhere as increasingly we feel the pinch of a global economy and society. Globally, the next few events that are slated would be the India Inbound show conducted by India Tourism and FAITH, the ITB Asia event in Singapore and WTM in London. HICSA is re-scheduled in July, while BITB has yet to announce its fresh date, which will be known only as the pandemic begins to slow down.
All these cancellations are an expression to say we don’t want to meet, come into contact with others, as only Heaven knows who is a carrier or not. This pathogen knows no boundaries and has not spared even the mighty in powerful places! Till we know more, and find tangible solutions, containment and self-regulation appears to be the most viable solutions.
