Is COVID-19 changing travel forever?

COVID-19 pandemic brought new rules and regulations for travelers due to public health safety. Some of these include strict cleaning protocols, flexible cancellation policies, and contactless check-ins. In a recent article by Jon Marcus of Boston Globe, indicates that some of these new regulations and policies are actually good for the consumer and can stay after the pandemic is gone. In an interview with Irem Onder of Tourism and Hospitality management department of UMass Amherst, she pointed out when indoor smoking bans in Istanbul, Turkey started (about 13 years ago), the restaurants and bars adjusted to this situation and opened outside seating areas, which is the norm in most of the countries now. A policy for protecting public health such contactless check-ins at the accommodations protects the travelers and the accommodation suppliers is also convenient for travelers. “Now, she said, innovations forced by the COVID-19 pandemic are permanently changing travel in the same way.” 

Furthermore, travelers are happy with some changes such as having flexible cancellation options for bookings. It is hard to go back to the way it was before the COVID-19 since travelers realized that some of these changes are actually good for them. For instance, as a result of strict cleaning protocols, tourism and hospitality industry invested in expensive equipment such as expensive equipment including hand sanitizers and fogging, electrostatic, and ultraviolet filters, which will stay even after the pandemic. Some hotels and resorts moved dining, gyms and spa services outdoors, thus increasing the outdoor service options. On the other hand, having limited housekeeping and no breakfast buffets are less popular among travelers but needed for protecting public health due to COVID-19.

Overall, one of the positive outcomes for the industry is that people appreciate traveling more than before the pandemic and are more tolerable for unforeseen changes in their itinerary.

 

Link to the full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/11/lifestyle/better-or-worse-some-pandemic-prompted-travel-changes-are-forever/