“I do not see myself heading back to the hospitality industry," says a Mumbai-based hospitality professional, observing that travel-related professions may never be the same again in a post-pandemic world. A year after the Covid-19 outbreak, the Andheri resident, who wished to remain anonymous was let go when the five-star property they worked at in the city shut down in June 2021. “During the first year, we were asked to stay at home because all hotels were shut. Our company did not lay off employees, however, employees had to stay at home without pay,” they reveal. It was a plight that many people across industries have faced since then. While some dealt with layoffs, others like the 30-year-old were furloughed due to the uncertain future. 

It’s been two years since the first lockdown was announced in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hitting many businesses including the hospitality industry, which is slowly getting back on its feet. While the restaurants and hotels are now functioning, many employees still don’t have a job, some have given up on finding one in the same industry, and still others have moved on to new professions to survive and earn for their families. Several of those contacted for this story did not want to relive the horror of the last two years or were not comfortable talking because the subject touched a nerve. Both experienced professionals and freshers were still coming to terms with it.