DELHI
The Indian travel industry is still in denial on the impact that Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) could have on tourism.
The disease, like SARS which had its origin in south-east Asia some years ago, has already claimed close to 90 lives.
SARS killed close to 1,000 worldwide and caused a financial loss of around $1 billion to Singapore alone in 2003.
The travel business is still waiting and watching before ringing the alarm bell for tourists bound for West Asia. The sector claims the number of visitors coming into India from West Asia has also not dropped due to MERS. The industry take is linked to what the World Health Organization (WHO) is maintaining. In a statement, WHO said that it “does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions”.
Full report here Business Standard
