Demand for travel has rebounded in a big way. Here’s how travel and tourism have adapted.
Person sitting in airport with feet on luggage looking at a plane taking off
1. CONSISTENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has published a series of health and hygiene protocols informed by WHO and CDC guidelines.
These guidelines are being implemented globally. The WTTC will assign a “Safe Travels” safety stamp to travel and tourism companies that have adopted standardized health and hygiene protocols. This stamp makes it easy for consumers to discover destinations with health and safety in mind.
According to research by McKinsey & Company, most travelers want additional health and safety measures. Consistent safety protocols will help the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries both mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and effectively communicate their dedication to health and safety with consumers.
2. GREATER TRAINING IN HEALTH SAFETY
Staff attending important checkpoints from airport terminals to hotel desks are now trained to look for signs of fever, ask about them, and use tools to determine whether someone may be experiencing them.
At nearly every entrance to travel and tourism venues, you can expect to be greeted by a trained staff member who will ask if you or anyone you’ve been in contact with in the past two weeks has shown symptoms of COVID-19. They’ll often use a portable digital thermometer to check your skin temperature to see if you have any signs of a fever.
While they may have seemed overbearing and cumbersome during the height of the pandemic, these staff members are largely well-trained in making these check-ins quick and easy. The check-ins at places of tourism and hospitality businesses are unlikely to delay your trip.
3. ENHANCED CLEANLINESS & DISINFECTION
PPE such as masks, gloves, sanitizer, face shields, and more are now exceptionally available and inexpensive. Many destinations that accept public traffic, especially luxury travel and tourism destinations, will have major touchpoints, seats, rooms, beds, and more cleaned often — sometimes in between each individual use.
4. APPEALING TO TELEWORKERS
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that one in four Americans worked from home during August of 2020. With many companies allowing workers to telecommute for their health and safety, people are searching for more comfortable hybrid home/workspaces.
After months of devastation to Hawaii’s travel and tourism industry, one of the state’s main sources of revenue, a group of leaders and community organizers noticed an opportunity in the telecommuting trend. In November of 2020, volunteer CEOs from various industries launched an initiative titled “Movers and Shakas.” This initiative was designed to attract remote workers to the island, allowing them to partake in cultural education, connect with their local community, and bask in the beauty of Hawaii, all while maintaining their 9-to-5.
5. SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND
According to research compiled by Booking.com, 87% of their customers want to travel more sustainably. An article in Environment International noted that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the “need to identify and implement policies that will bring short-term and long-term benefits to health and sustainability.” Mainstream awareness of both climate change and large-scale environmental risk factors is impacting consumerism. Dr. Carlos Martin-Rios of EHL states that consumers are “more educated than ever, and increasingly making wise decisions.”
When it comes to travel and tourism trends, “going green” can no longer be performative. Moving forward, businesses will need to work to match consumer awareness, demonstrating their own dedication to sustainability with well-documented, sustainable business strategies.
The past year has been a test of innovation and resiliency for industries across the board. As the world continues to face the impacts of COVID-19, including its aftermath, the travel and tourism industry will need to continually adapt to match consumer trends and up-to-date safety procedures.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH A RELIABLE AGENCY
Telios Travel can help your company plan safe, luxury experiences in our post-pandemic world. Start with a call for travel consulting services and plan this year’s travel in safety and comfort.
