New Delhi, Apr 14 (IANS): While India's tourism industry stares at a massive loss due to ongoing nationwide lockdown, Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel on Tuesday said he was optimistic about the future of Indian tourism industry.

The minister said the country will emerge as one of the favourite and safest tourism destinations once the pandemic situation was over.

He lauded government's ongoing attempts to contain the spread of the deadly virus and claimed the country has gained a reputation as one of the safest countries in the world. This would help in attracting footfall from abroad once the lockdown was over, he said.

"Our prompt response to the deadly virus has helped India gain image of the safest nation, I am optimistic that we will soon emerge as one of the favourite international destinations," Patel told IANS in an interview.

Speaking about the sharp decline in the medical tourism, Patel said this would also see a sharp rise.

He said the Ministry was ready with a plan to help Indian tourism industry recover fast, but any action would come after the lockdown and pandemic situation was over.

"Of course, we have a plan to deal with the situation, but for now, it is important that everyone stays home and help in containing the virus spread," Patel said.

The Indian tourism industry has taken a hit since January this year after COVID-19 started taking the world into its grip. However, it was in March that the government began to impose certain travel regulations to keep a check on virus' spread in India. Since then the tourism industry has seen a downward journey in India, leaving various daily wagers, guides, traders and others linked to hospitality industry out of business.