Travel will never be the same after the pandemic is over. Countries around the world are now planning to lift travel restrictions after over two months of standstill. The European Union, for instance, has recently released recommendations for easing travel restrictions across the continent. Countries are cautiously trying to restart the economic engine associated with travel and tourism.
The virus outbreak has devastated the travel industry by every measure. The damages are unprecedented and shocking. The travel sector lost around 100 million job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Almost every airline worldwide has experienced a staggering decline in passenger traffic. Many countries are now chalking out plans to reopen domestic and international travel. But even after all restrictions are eventually removed, the travel industry is bound to transform in the post-coronavirus world.
The COVID-19 pandemic is already dramatically changing our attitude towards public health. It will change the ways we think about health risks and travel, among zillion other things. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most possible major changes around the travel industry.
Airline Operations with Social Distancing Norms
Some airlines have attempted to put social distancing measures on their planes. The idea they are using is to leave the middle seat open. However, according to industry experts, this could be challenging for many airlines. Low-cost airlines may struggle to maintain such arrangements. The biggest challenge facing airlines could be very fundamental: convincing people to get in the air.
Considering the current medication situation, earning profits seem uphill for the airline industry. Airlines will have to take a swath of measures to cope with the post-coronavirus travel market. The new measures will prompt a rise in the deployment of safety guidelines and aviation software, among other things.
Industry analysts say airlines will initially introduce attractive deals to lure travelers. Sectors like business travel and leisure travel are supposed to be the areas of priority among airlines.
Testing could a major role in reassuring travelers. For instance, the Dubai-based airline operator Emirates has offered virus tests to a limited number of travelers. Even simple steps like temperature checks can help greatly.
Screening, Monitoring, and Space at Airports
After the lockdowns are relaxed, airports are supposed to undergo significant changes. Health screening of passengers, space-per-passenger ratio, and monitoring passenger flow are likely to become widespread practices. For example, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico has installed new thermal imaging cameras to screen arriving travelers.
New airports have the advance of spacious design. More space means they can easily manage the desired space-per-passenger. Space will enable airport authorities to ensure that passengers aren’t in security lines and boarding areas. Besides, security checks at airports would also get more prominence in the post-coronavirus world. Airports are likely to install more automation solutions to reduce human-to-human interaction. Space at the entry and exit areas are going to be expanded to avoid jamming.
Enhanced Cleaning Practices in Hotels
Cleaning will most likely become the most sought-after amenity in hotels. Once the lockdown restrictions lift, travelers would expect housekeeping to a priority of the hotel industry. Hospitality experts predict more touchless check-in options. This will encourage hospitality companies to use tech solutions, including hotel booking apps, and online payment options more rigorously.
The hospitality industry will dramatically reduce human interactions and encourage social distancing. For example, Marriot is planning to offer contactless room service through its hospitality mobile app. Automation methods like robotic cleaning could become mainstream in the hotel industry.
Road Trips as Major Service Area for Travel Agents
Countries and regions are beginning to ease travel restrictions. This will eventually encourage them to get out and go to places. But when and how tourism begins largely depends on government guidelines and rules in that region. Every region may be introducing its policies for the tourism industry. Experts believe the tourism would restart with a boom in road trips.
Road trips in private vehicles give people more control over their travel. This is particularly important when hygiene and social distancing are major concerns.
Besides, considering the medical situation of the novel coronavirus, international travel will take much longer to fully resume. Different countries will reopen at different times. That would be a significant challenge for internal tourism. Travel agents will, therefore, likely focus on domestic travel. And road trips will most like to dominate tourism at least for the short term. Travel tour operators can leverage tools like travel agency management software to reshape business operations.
More Transparency in Travel Insurance
Selling travel insurance deals has never been easy for insurance companies. Many travelers were intensely disappointed to learn that their travel insurance was useless during the pandemic. Travel insurance packages are usually expensive and have numerous hidden terms. This could soon change in a post-pandemic travel world. Insurance companies might try to reassure consumers by making significant changes in policies. Since travelers are more likely to become more aware of what their insurance package covers, companies are like to improve transparency. Experts believe that more policies with pandemic coverage will emerge in the market.
Conclusion
People’s desire to get out and travel will not go away due to the pandemic. Many travel enthusiasts are waiting for the lockdowns to life so they can grab their backpack and get out. However, travel will drastically change in terms of behavior and safety measures. Travel agents, airlines, and hospitality companies, among others, need to fully prepare for the unprecedented changes.
OrangeMantra has long helped travel industry clients to adopt every major and minor shift in the market. We have a diverse range of offerings for travel and tourism sectors, including hotel booking apps, hospitality software, tour booking software, among others. Follow our blogs to stay updated with travel industry trends.
FAQs
Q. How does an airline booking system work?
Airline booking systems offer information like airline schedules, fare tariffs, and the travel duration. The systems enable passengers to book and manage tickets online. Tickets can be booked from the airline’s own reservation system and from third-party apps.
Q. How does a hotel management software work?
Hotel management software allows hotel operators and owners to streamline their administrative and management tasks. Hotel management software applications also enhance the guest experience in different ways.
Q. How much does it cost to develop a travel agency software?
The development cost for a travel agency software depends on what kind of solution you need. Costs are lower for solutions with basic features. If you need a highly customized travel agency application with advanced features, the cost will be different. OrangeMantra offers competitive pricing for every kind of travel management solution.