Several airlines, hotels and tourist attractions have begun to slowly restart the travel industry. However, the bitter taste that the coronavirus has left in our mouths cannot be easily washed away. Dream Aloud Travels has been studying the situation closely and after discussions with numerous stakeholders, we are able to share these six changes to travel post COVID-19.  

 

  1. Less Travelers

This will be for three main reasons. Firstly, people are scared to travel. That might even include yourself and that’s okay. It is best to delay any unnecessary travel arrangements until the situation has calmed. Secondly, the global economy is going through a recession so those who view travel as a luxury will not spend on it. Thirdly, those with underlying health issues and the over sixty five age demographic will travel less.
But what does this mean for travel lovers who want to travel shortly after borders open? It will result in a more intimate travel scene. Less lines at tourist attractions, cleaner beaches and you will get to experience a country on a more one-on-one basis.

 

    1. More Travel Promotions 

Airfare has dropped significantly since the pandemic. A roundtrip from New York to Dubai dropped from $1200 USD in January to $799 in March. Qatar Airways gifted one hundred thousand (100,000) free flights to front line workers. Hotels are offering up to thirty percent (30%) off. You can book five star hotels for $90 usd per night on booking.com. Tour operators and tourist attractions are promoting group discounts. However, this will not last long. All these entities experienced huge losses being out of operation during the lockdown. They had to cut staff and partake in cost minimizing strategies. For travelers who act quickly, it can result in the cheapest vacation of their life.

 

  1. Changes in Hotel Industry

Across the board, hotels will have to improve their sanitization methods. The World Health Organization has laid out clear ways to halt the spread of COVID-19. The hotels will have to follow through by training their staff on proper hygiene, hand-washing and thorough disinfection of surfaces with alcohol based products. The hospitality industry (including Airbnb’s, villas and all lodging options) will have to pay attention to every single detail to ensure cleanliness. Various hotels have installed measures such as self check-in kiosks to limit human to human contact, the use of non-reusable cutlery, reduction in buffets for food serving, inclusion of hand sanitizers and wipes as a part of toiletries, non reusable room keys and more lenient booking policies. It is important that hotels align with changes in guest expectations and take appropriate measures to make the guests feel safe and comfortable.

 

  1. Changes in Aviation Industry

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been regulating how airports and airlines across the globe respond to the pandemic. Airports have introduced temperature screening for staff and travelers.  Social distancing is being instilled by means of blocking seats in airport waiting areas and at airport restaurants . In the future, possible vaccination/health cards may be needed to provide fitness to fly. For you the traveler, airport lines may move slower due to thorough screening but try to be patient and envision yourself frolicking at your final destination. Airlines such as Emirates have introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon check-in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. The kits comprise masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer.

Should airlines leave the middle seat empty to allow for social distancing, it would slash the maximum load factor to 62 per cent — well below the average break-even load factor of 77 per cent. This would ultimately lead to a rise in ticket prices, with IATA estimating prices could increase by up to 54 per cent compared with 2019, just to cover costs. IATA shared that all airlines will have to focus on:

  • Boarding and deplaning processes that reduce contact with other passengers or crew.
  • Limiting movement within the cabin during flight,
  • More frequent and deeper cabin cleaning; and
  • Simplified catering procedures that lower crew movement and interaction with passengers.

 

 

  1. Masks will Stay

Yes, yes and yes! For years, Asian countries like China, Korea and Japan have sported masks to prevent inhaling hazardous air pollutants. The Coronavirus has introduced this face covering to the Western Hemisphere and it is here to stay. N-95 masks have been scientifically proven to be the best. Purchase here before your next trip. Disney and Ferrari World theme parks are reopening but only accepting visitors who wear masks.  No more rollercoaster-screaming-mouth- wide-open-embarrassing photos.

 

  1. More Secluded Travel 

Perhaps a crowded metropolitan destination is not ideal. Switch to an off the beaten path, nature reserve lodge in Namibia, ‘glamping’ in the desert, overwater bungalow in Maldives – type of vacation. Apart from the locals who may want to sell you something so that they can feed their families, don’t expect others to want to engage in conversation. Some may trade an all inclusive resort for smaller hotels or airbnbs. Travel will be very individualistic now. Similar to the airline safety video which demonstrates in case of loss in cabin pressure, you should put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others, your personal safety and health is what matters most.

 

With all this said, travel will still be enjoyable! We will continue to indulge in delicious world cuisines, learn about history and culture through museums and landmarks, witness breathtaking natural wonders and relax on idyllic beaches.  The core of travel will remain.

However, the process of getting to your destination and returning home may not be easy. This is why you may need a travel consultant. At Dream Aloud Travels, we are keeping abreast of industry developments in order to guide our clients. Whether you need information on the best travel insurance or visa regulations, feel free to reach out to us by emailing [email protected].

 

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