It is time to turn obstacles into opportunities
As travel restrictions implemented around the globe slowly release, the tourism industry finds it triggered in an unprecedented crisis. The impact of the novel coronavirus can be felt throughout the ecosystem. Rebuilding, reopening, and restructuring is the need of the hour.
COVID-19 has left the future of tourism under great scrutiny globally. I am, often asked the ‘Future of Tourism’ as someone who runs the largest b2b online travel portal but seldom do we hear the opinions or views of the local communities whose sole living is dependent on tourism activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought travel and tourism to a standstill and has changed the world’s perspective on hygiene and sanitisation. When we closed the boundaries, canceled events and self-quarantined at home, the travel industry and other sectors began to nosedive. A joint effort to save lives represented an economic disaster for businesses.
With the increased demand for travel due after almost a yearlong lockdown, travellers are looking for a vacation again. Although the pandemic continues to affect lives, locations around the world have begun to reopen, more travellers are getting on planes and airlines are reestablishing routes. Regardless of the risks involved, countries and states have begun to welcome visitors with all SOPs in place.
Despite the positivity in news, the greater threat still spearheads. One silver lining to the pandemic is that consumers are now conscious and demand a sustainable and responsible travel policy. Democratisation of travel is very necessary at this stage.
While the wealthy will still travel, society has faced a major recession. It is time to redress the imbalance and utilise the under-tapped resources on this journey to the recovery of our sector.
Privileges come in many forms and tourism often is synonymous with intentional trips. Quality over quantity is what matters- less often now, only if the world begins to travel similar to the pre-pandemic times.
Personalisation is the key to rehabilitation. When it comes to booking experiences, there is nobody better than our very well established and industry connected travel agents, DMCs and tour operators with their invaluable knowledge. The year 2020 has made the end customer realise the expertise and financial security of booking via a travel agent. In the coming times, consumers are making a well-informed decision to safeguard their travels, by booking their experiences via travel agents to get a sense of security, flexibility and ease of booking.
Various travel restrictions and the reluctance of many to travel abroad has indirectly helped in the rise of domestic tourism. In a post COVID-19 world, travellers’ prime priority is the safety and hygiene measures taken up by the destination/ hotel/ attraction, people are ready to pay extra and travel safely, travelling business class over the economy, preferring to stay at a trusted luxury brand hotel over lesser-known hotel chains, the itinerary is now focusing on more remote locations or niche day tours where people are less likely to come into contact. ‘Workcations’ are gaining popularity. Travellers are looking out for more control over their itinerary; it is now more than ever that Indians will be booking independent villas, premium homestays and non-hotels. With induced travel restrictions throughout the past year, weekend getaways have increasingly grown in popularity with urban India.
Staycations at luxury and premium hotels in the same city are also seeing a rise in local check-ins.
Now that the tourism industry has to subsist only on local tourism for some more months, there has been substantial growth in tourists travelling to the green corridor of Northeastern India. The country is also set to benefit from the growing wildlife and wellness tourism.
While the World is trying to come to terms with ‘The New Normal’ life with COVID-19, there is no dubiousness that this global pandemic will change the world, we know of.
Creative thinking will lead us to new opportunities- no matter big or small. Whilst the pandemic has created many challenges, it has also inspired us with mindfulness, originality and collaboration.