New Delhi, July 29 (KNN) Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (IC) Prahlad Singh Patel on Wednesday said that the pandemic has deeply impacted the travel industry and opening up of domestic tourism will help in boosting the economy post COVID-19.

Addressing the webinar ‘Tourism E-Conclave: Travel & Hospitality: What’s Next?’, organized by FICCI, ''the need is to have coordinated and concerted efforts from all stakeholders including the government, state governments, various ministries and industry.''

''If we are able to build consumer confidence, domestic tourism will pick up in no time,'' he added.

Patel also said that the travel and hospitality industry is struggling to survive and the government should provide relief to the sector by way of considering reduction in bills and charges for hotels and other such measures.

''There are barriers in opening up the sector and urged the industry to share its recommendations to overcome them with the tourism and finance ministries and other departments,'' he said. 

Alluding to the importance of collaboration and synergy amongst stakeholders, Patel said that he has been writing to Chief Ministers of various states to jointly work towards saving and reviving the tourism sector.

The Minister said that the need is to identify priority areas in the travel and hospitality sector in tandem with state governments for developing various circuits in the country. He also added that with COVID-19, we are facing an unprecedented challenge but the industry has maintained a positive stance and is working towards the survival and revival of the tourism sector.