Life is a journey... not a destination

THE TOURISM INDUSTRY SUFFERED A HUGE BLOW IN 2020 AS A RESULT OF LOCKDOWNS AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AIMED AT CURBING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, WHICH MADE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD LIMIT THEIR ACTIVITY AND LOSE THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

CITY FIRST BRINGS TO YOU VIEWS OF OUR ARDENT READERS OF A MEMORY FROM THEIR FAVOURITE TRIP, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TOURISM SECTOR IN INDIA’S ECONOMY, THE PROPOSED MEASURES AND RECOVERY PLANS!

As we celebrate National Tourism Day, on January 25 every year, the day is observed by the government to encourage tourism and explain the essential role of it in the growth of the country!

India is a country where ethnicity, practice, culture, etc changes with every kilometre as one moves from North to South. India being the 7th largest country in the world stands apart from the rest of the Asian continent.

It has mountains and the sea, which makes the country a distinct geographical entity. Travel & tourism industry in India has been a significant contributor to the country’s GDP.

The sector even generates a large employment base.

So when by midMarch 2020, the popular tourist attractions in India started to close down, and the news on putting a halt on flying began to make rounds, we all started to predict the grim future of the travel industry in the country already.

In fact the shutting down of the iconic Taj Mahal on March 17, 2020, which attracts millions of visitors every year, was a sign enough to assess the hard blow this pandemic was launching at us.

As the tourism industry is now reviving slowly, some of us still feel they won’t be travelling anytime soon.

I am a sucker for nature, beauty and art. I believe in promoting tourism via my art too. Kalga, Himachal Pradesh, ain’t just a destination but it has given a new meaning to my work.

I started learning my tattooing in January 2018 at a shop in Jaipur named Zero Error Tattoos.

I was always into art and drawing because of my immense understanding of portraits and nature. When I was a kid I used to make portraits but never I’ll come this far. I myself got amazed by them because I never expected that I can create something.

The person who is the backbone in this process and my better half, Aryaman pushed me and made me understand to just to try it once and then I knew I wanted a career in art (somehow).

I just enjoyed doing it. Kalga, where I live now is a place that I feel like I won’t fi nd it anywhere else for my profession. You have to climb Kalga and then you’ll reach my cafe Tabiba where I make tattoos surrounded by the mighty mountains.

It’s so much fun making tattoos there that it doesn’t even feel like I’m working, I make sure to provide best experience & artwork to all the clients that come and visit me there. —ARYA TAK

I can’t believe I went to a trip in the first month of 2020. It feels surreal. I visited Kashmir with my friends and it was no less than a magical experience.

I hope this pandemic settles soon and we get to experience more hustle free travels. The beauty of the country should be preserved at all costs. —HARISH JANGID

Now and then my life becomes a constant circle of functioning a work-life balance and to do it along with a toddler is just hectic.

Travelling to a new place comes as restitution to me. It’s the only thing that helps me rejuvenate, energize and come back stronger to deal with the everyday chores of life. —LUBNA ABBAS

Travel, for me, is an escape from the general monotonous routine of life. It helps me calm down to enjoy the little things in life and pace the otherwise overwhelming life.

It gives me sheer joy to spend time with nature ultimately running towards the hills to soak the sight of sunsets. —SATYENDRA PRABHAKAR

Travelling is one of the most blissful things in the world. I enjoy the beauty of nature. Tourism industry definitely faced a huge setback post pandemic.

It did leave the inner traveller in me disappointed for a while, But eventually 2021 saw things taking a better shape and I hope this third wave settles soon. —KOMAL KHANCHANDANI