COVID-19 Induced Crisis in Heritage Marketing in Agra – A Roadmap for Reforms in Policy
Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemic, heritage sites, bailout package, footfall, tourismAbstract
The city of Agra is globally renowned for its ancient culture and heritage. The tourism industry, comprising of the sectors of heritage marketing, handicrafts and the hospitality sector, are major generators of revenue and employment at Agra. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented healthcare concern, has wreaked havoc worldwide. This paper attempts to address the crippling effect of the pandemic on the heritage industry in Agra. The study discusses the pre-pandemic scenario, which has been compared with the drastic downfall witnessed by the industry, brought about by the pandemic. The paper further presents the demands of the relevant stakeholders, and the government response to the same. Furthermore, certain suggestions have also been provided, which may prove to be fruitful for addressing and alleviating the state of crisis in the industry.
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