How the Travel Industry is Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the travel industry to something of a standstill. People became, and still are, far more hesitant to fly, and then countries and states began to impose travel bans. Though significantly slowed, the travel industry is adapting to current conditions. It has to if it’s going to survive. So what are some of the adaptations taking place?

Outdoor Activities

There has been a greater emphasis put on outdoor activities lately. Generally considered safer to take part in, more people find that they are more comfortable with outdoor adventures. This is in large part due to how easy it can be to maintain distance between individuals, which is considered an important method in preventing coronavirus spread. These activities include things like camping, hiking, rafting, scuba diving, and biking. Travel industry professionals can help you find great locations to go on these adventures. As an added bonus, being active and experiencing nature can help you counterbalance the effects of social distancing.

Virtual Tourism

Similar to virtual work, virtual tourism has seen a huge spike in demand.Services like Airbnb Experiences are helping the tourism industry diversify. Now you can learn how to make different ethnic cuisines from people who do it every day. Or you can learn to meditate from a meditation guru without leaving your living room. You can go on virtual tours of places all over the globe from the comfort of your couch. People from all over the world can gather in a virtual meeting and share their expertise and what’s special about where they live. These virtual experiences offer adventure to anyone who wants to join, and a source of income for those acting as a guide.

An Emphasis on Affordability

It’s no surprise that many are feeling something of a pinch when it comes to having funds available for technically unnecessary expenses, such as traveling. To counteract that, many people involved in the travel industry have dropped the price of their services significantly, if only temporarily. Airlines and cruises have discounted prices to entice people to travel with them. And though technically part of the hospitality industry, hotels have been doing the same. It’s hard to say how long this will last though. These prices are great for consumers, but they are hard for businesses to sustain. We may end up seeing a more obvious divide in what travel services are available for wealthy travelers versus those accessible to the more cost-conscious consumer.

It’s no secret that the travel industry has been hit hard by the pandemic. Fortunately, they are finding ways to adapt and overcome, even if economic recovery is still further down the road. With these innovations and time, we’re sure to see greater recovery in the future.

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