ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has jolted the entire world and continues to challenge the world through its horrific effects. The containment of the virus looks a distant reality until the world has the vaccine to treat it. As of 18th October, 2021 there are 240,260,449 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with 4,890,424 confirmed deaths. The impact has been felt in 216 countries, areas, or territories (WHO, 2020). The travel and tourism industry is one of the worst hit sectors and could result in a loss of 50 million jobs worldwide (WTTC, 2020). It is also forecasted that it might take ten months for the industry to rebound and take shape again (WTTC, 2020). The travel restrictions imposed in all the global destinations are of the tune of 96% (UNWTO, 2020). The present study provides an insight into the impact and revival challenges of COVID-19. An earnest effort is put forward to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector. The study also focuses upon the revival path suggested by experts during various webinars organized by the tourism department of Amity University, Noida. As the whole world is at a standstill because of the lockdown, the tourist and the tourism industry is in a sphere of escalated uncertainty and they are in dire need of the reliable and updated information 444pertaining to the tourism sector. The webinars organized through online platforms are being considered the safest medium to transmit vital information and revival strategies post COVID-19. Taking the present measures into consideration, some new measures have been suggested during the webinars that contribute to sustainability of the tourism sector. It is suggested that all the regional tourism markets should chalk out a viable recovery path post COVID-19 to reorient the tourism industry. This would need a large dose of economic injection to revive the tourism markets paralysed by the deadly coronavirus. A global approach is suggested by the various experts from the academia, industry, destination management companies, travel agents, and tour operators so that a complete transformation of the tourism industry may become a reality in the future. Post Covid-19 recovery road map is also discussed in respect of all the regional tourism markets.
