There is no question that the travel industry has been incredibly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
From stricter health and safety measures to contactless measures, the travel industry has adapted to the challenges of the past year with a determination to prevail.
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) represents companies like Airbnb, Vrbo, TripAdvisor, Booking and Expedia. Recently a report was published entitled Future travel excitement in the age of COVID-19, which shares trends of how excited people are to plan future trips, how travelers’ needs have changed, and how the travel industry is expected to change during the pandemic and towards recreation.
We spoke to Steve Shur, CEO of Travel Tech, to find out more.
TravelPulse (TP): In Travel Tech’s new report, a large majority of respondents are relying more than ever on technology to keep them safe. How has Travel Tech adjusted and what do you see in the future in terms of travel-related technology?
Steve Shur (Shur): COVID-19 has changed the way people think about travel. Your choice of destination, search criteria and your health awareness while driving have changed due to the pandemic. Technology makes travel possible again. Whether showing travel destination information or providing a contactless trip through the airports, the technology deployed by Travel Tech members gives consumers the resources they need to make informed decisions, minimize risk, and stay safe to maximize travel.
TP: This year there has been a demand for both domestic and nearby vacation rentals. Do you think this trend will continue after the pandemic?
Shur: Yes, all signs point to a strong recovery in domestic travel and a penchant for driving and visiting outdoor destinations, suggesting increased demand for vacation rentals. A recent Vrbo survey found that 65% of respondents plan to travel more than they did before the pandemic. 59% of families said they were more likely to drive than fly, and 61% said they would likely seek outdoor destinations. With the introduction of the vaccine, we can expect the recovery of travel to evolve from more local car trips to domestic flights to international travel.
TP: What do you think the pandemic has irreversibly changed in terms of the travel industry and / or the way people will travel in the future?
Shur: The information travelers look for when booking trips now includes an entirely new set of data. From travel restrictions to health information to new or different requirements for travel or visiting attractions, consumers need more information than ever before to feel safe when booking their next trip. That’s why Travel Tech members have created tools for consumers and agents, such as TripAdvisor’s suite of Travel Safe information and Travelport’s Stay Safe filters for travel agents booking hotels for their customers.
TP: What attitude do you think people will have when it comes to planning trips after the pandemic versus prepandemic?
Shur: People will appreciate travel more than ever. After being locked for a year, the world can’t wait to get out and travel again. I think people will be more conscientious about their surroundings and the environment and look for more sustainable travel options. You will also have a better appreciation for tourism and all that it has to offer. A TripAdvisor survey found that 69% of respondents said they spent more time planning trips, and 54% of respondents said they were more likely to go on their bucket list trip. Travelers are motivated to travel especially because they know the increased safety precautions and extensive implementation of COVID-19 vaccines.
TP: What can travel consultants and travelers do now to prepare for the future of travel?
Shur: Travelers are already planning their vacation in 2021 and are using the search and research tools of OTA, short-term rentals and metasearch platforms. Travel Consultants need to be prepared for the recreation of travel by working with their supplier partners to get all of the information they need to properly serve their customers. We still have some work to do, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
