NEW DELHI: The tourism and travel industry has petitioned the Prime Minister and the government once again seeking immediate interventions for the aviation, hospitality and travel services.The World Travel and Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII), the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality and CII, among others, said the coronavirus impact could render 3.8 crore people jobless, which is around 70% of the total workforce in the tourism and hospitality sector.Petitioning the government for a support fund for twelve months to support basic salaries with “direct transfer” to the affected tourism employees, in a letter to PM, FAITH said, “As a result of this pandemic, Indian tourism industry is looking at pan India bankruptcies, closure of businesses and mass unemployment.”“A large percentage of total tourism business activity of India, which is estimated at $28 billion+ in forex and upwards of Rs 2 lakh crore in domestic tourism activity will be at economic risk through the year. Thus, in excess of Rs 5 lakh crore of direct tourism industry and almost double that of total economic activity is at risk,” the letter said.In a separate letter to the PM, Spicejet CMD and WTTCII president Ajay Singh urged the government to urge domestic and international tourists, through its channels and the Incredible India website to disseminate the message of “Postpone travel, don’t cancel” and to assert that advisories asking people to not travel are only temporary measures and that “India awaits to welcome you back when the risk diminishes.”The travel industry also said the Indian tourism industry is looking at pan India bankruptcies, closure of businesses and mass unemployment as a result of this pandemic. They also said the current situation on tourism is equivalent to a “national disaster” and requires a response invoked from perhaps laws suitable to handling such a national disaster for rehabilitation and urgent support of the people of this industry. “If not addressed immediately the impact of this pandemic will stretch over years and revival of jobs will become almost impossible. This effect of job losses and layoffs has already begun throughout the country,” the industry associations have said.