ITDC signs MoU with AIIMS to develop Covid-19 safety protocol

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a public sector undertaking, under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to implement preventive measures against Covid-19 infections.

ITDC wants to provide a safe, hygienic and healthy environment to guests and staff across its hotels and offices and is looking to lay down a relevant protocol in association with AIIMS. To take the initiative forward an advisory board will be formed consisting of representatives from AIIMS, ITDC or representatives from any other organisation to provide inputs on designing and developing the safety protocol with respect to Covid-19 infections.

This would help in instilling trust and confidence in domestic tourism and also help in image building of the nation as far as international tourists and travellers are concerned. These measures are in addition to guidelines issued by the Indian government.

Talking about the MoU, Prahlad Singh Patel, the Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture said, “The MoU between ITDC and AIIMS to fight the Covid-19 battle is a commendable and appreciable step taken by ITDC. We need to win over our fear and do everything possible in order to revive the tourism industry, which is one of the key contributors to the country’s GDP. This move by ITDC would be helpful in rebuilding trust and confidence of international as well as domestic tourists.”

“The ongoing pandemic has had a severe impact on the travel and tourism industry. The MoU with AIIMS, New Delhi will help us in monitoring the situation and take necessary measures to fight the pandemic. The tourism sector contributes immensely towards the creation of jobs, as well as the GDP of India, it is imperative to ensure preparedness and readiness of the sector in order to gear it back into action,” the minister added.