Coronavirus impact: Tourist inflow into India drop by 30%:

Official Hyderabad, Mar 12 () India is witnessing a 25 per centto 30 per cent drop in inbound international visitors to thecountry in recent months in the backdrop of novel coronavirusfears, Civil Aviation Joint Secretary Usha Padhee said onThursday. There has been a drastic reduction in numbers (visitorsto India) of international travellers, I was told that it hascome down by 25 to 30 per cent. Because of the quarantine byevery country, both (inbound and outbound) have got severeimpact, she told reporters here.

She was speaking on the sidelines of civil aviation show'Wings India 2020' which began here on Thursday.

The official said there has been a reduction in thenumber of domestic travellers also as people with businesspurpose or emergency requirements were only travelling.

India has on Wednesday announced suspension of alltourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain the spread ofthe virus.

All incoming travellers, including Indians, arriving fromor having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea,France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will bequarantined for a minimum period of 14 days, the Centre hassaid. Replying to a query, Padhee said the situation was purelytemporary in nature and there had been a turn around in China,the genesis of the viral fever that killed over 3,000, "whichis a good sign".

On the impact on the 'Wings India 2020', the officialsaid the event was expected to be attended by only one thirdof the anticipated 1,500 delegates.

According to her, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep SinghPuriwill participate with the industry leaders in sessionwherein the current situation of the sector will be discussed.

The flagship biennial event is being jointly organisedby the civil aviation ministry and industry and Federation ofIndian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at BegumpetAirport here from March 12 to 15. GDKVS VS