Novel Approaches to Tourism: Adapting to the Post-COVID Era
Will Journeys Abroad Be Possible Once More?
By Dr. AMIT SHARMA || Vice President, Abercrombie & Kent
The travel industry is experiencing a significant transformation, and it's all about more than just pricing. In unprecedented times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers and service providers are seeking the right answers to questions like never before. Here's what's brewing in the industry:
- What can travelers expect from service providers post-COVID?
- New travel norms:Expect hygiene and safety to be at the forefront, with a tendency towards less crowded destinations and less human interaction.
- "Experiential travel": Adventure, nature, and lesser-known destinations are gaining popularity over traditional large itineraries.
- Lifestyle travel:Travel is no longer a custom but a lifestyle choice, with a growing emphasis on unique, immersive experiences catering to diverse needs and interests.
- Will the tourism industry survive post-pandemic?
- Reinventing tourism:The industry is adapting through operational re-engineering, focusing on health safety, and leveraging technology for a contactless and personalized experience.
- Embracing sustainability:Tourism is expected to adopt eco-friendly practices for long-term growth and meet travelers' growing demand for sustainable travel options.
- Factors influencing consumer confidence:
- Disruptive innovations versus the traditional approach to travel service delivery will play a crucial role in regaining traveler trust.
WTTC's Annual Research shows that the Travel & Tourism sector experienced a 3.5% growth in 2019, outpacing the global economy by 1% for the ninth consecutive year. However, the COVID-19 crisis has pushed the tourism industry into uncharted waters, with domestic leisure tourism poised to lead the way as travel cautiously resumes.
With a growing emphasis on health and safety, proper carrying capacity management, and ensuring hygiene and social distancing, providing a comfortable experience remains challenging. The hotel sector, in particular, is embracing technology and adapting its strategies to achieve a balance between safety and customer satisfaction, using tools like Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) for reviewing and implementing new business strategies.
While technology integration and sustainable tourism are key to regaining traveler trust, industry players must also remember that they are in the people's business. Adapting policies, continued government support, and greater collaboration between public and private sectors will be vital in ensuring a coordinated, global approach to the crisis.
As we navigate this new normal, it's crucial to maintain a focus on long-term vision while addressing immediate recovery needs. The travel industry, like the world, will adapt and evolve. There has never been a better time to embrace change and seize the opportunity for growth and innovation.
- In the post-COVID era, travelers might find an increased popularity of experiential travel, such as exploring less crowded hill stations and adventure-seeking activities, rather than traditional large itineraries.
- To survive post-pandemic, the tourism industry is adapting by focusing on health safety and using technology to provide contactless and personalized experiences, while also embracing sustainability for long-term growth and addressing travelers' demand for environmentally friendly options.
- The hotel sector, in particular, is leveraging technology to achieve a balance between safety and customer satisfaction, using tools like Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) in reviewing and implementing new business strategies.
- In order to regain traveler trust, disruptive innovations in homestays and other travel service delivery will play a crucial role, but industry players must not forget that they are fundamentally in the people's business, and collaboration between public and private sectors will be essential.
