Tourism in an (almost) post-pandemic summer

Tourism is undoubtedly one of the most impacted industries from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), between 2019 and 2020, global tourism plummeted by 74%. And with tourism making up roughly 10% of the world's economic output, that's a serious concern.

So when can we expect to see tourism trend upward like many other industries? It's hard to know at this early stage of recovery, and the inability to forecast is problematic for many businesses. But with the projections we do have, there are few things you can do to build back your businesses this summer. 

International tourism will see a delay in its recovery from COVID-19. 

The delay in vaccinations continues to prevent international travel. According to World in Data, while the US has vaccinated 153 million and is increasing rapidly, others like Portugal or Sweden have only reached 1.6 million. With so many countries unable to quickly achieve herd immunity, you can expect a slow return for international travel. 

Rise of domestic tourism

According to LuggageHero's data, 60% of travelers worldwide are considering replacing international travel with domestic travel in 2021

With the complications of international travel, we expect domestic tourism will take off this summer. The accelerated vaccination rates coupled with the pent-up consumer demand to get out and break the monotony of lock-down points to a surge in domestic travel.  

In March 2021, the hospitality sector added 169,000 new workers, part of a 437,000 increase overall in services-related jobs. While some of this demand is from local patrons, we expect more out-of-state travel as vaccinations increase. 

Safety is top of mind for travelers

In a post-pandemic world, consumers are still thinking about health and safety as they travel. Businesses should invest in extra sanitary measures to ensure peace of mind and security for their guests. 

More technology-dependent

Many businesses were forced to adapt more tech-enabled systems to stay afloat during the pandemic. From staffing to socially distant tools that prevent touch, technology is even more critical today. Businesses should ensure their systems are seamless and easy to use. Ease of use in booking trips and cancelations will impact a guest's experience. 

Get Creative

Start thinking of fun and creative ways to get consumers interested in your businesses. How does your business give consumers that change of pace they crave and have missed this last year?