This is an editorial contribution from Wego.
Covid-19 has definitely changed the travel scene, but the easing of lockdown measures and the lifting of some travel restrictions are helping with the gradual recovery of the tourism industry.
With governments putting in place stringent plans, stimulus packages, sustainable measures, as well as following phased approaches to curb the spread of coronavirus and bring life back to normalcy has resulted in an uptick in search volumes.
The first phase of recovery has started with domestic travel. People are opting for staycation or a long weekend in the country with family and friends, as these getaways are considered the safest travel option for now.
The next phase of recovery will be in regional travel and the last will be international/ global travel. How this plays out though is really dependent upon the establishment of “travel bubbles”, “travel corridors” or “green lanes” between countries. The purpose of these is to allow the movement of people between countries with comparably low levels of Covid-19 risk without the need for mandatory quarantines or stay-home periods.
This approach is a baby step towards getting tourism back in swing, and it is being welcomed by travellers.
One of the key challenges in the recovery of the tourism industry is reinstating consumer’s confidence in travel, and encouraging them to fly again. Our recent travel survey, which was conducted among Asia Pacific (APAC)-based Wego users over the summer, shows that one of the main concerns for travellers is the safety and health precautions.
Most airlines and tour operators have started focusing on the safety and health of travellers and promoting safety standards, in addition to the precautions they are following to give reassurance to travellers.
Additionally, many airlines are bearing the cost for the PCR tests and quarantine measures for some travellers from specific destinations and this ultimately encourages people to travel more.
The hotels, on the other hand, are offering competitive prices and promotions in addition to revamping their loyalty programmes, waving cancellation fees and providing flexibility.
At Wego, we are working with partners like airlines and hotels, among others, to promote the flights that are operating across the globe and ready to bring tourists to the UAE. We are also keeping our users informed about the rules and safety regulations for each country, which helps them plan better for their next holiday.
Business travel is more likely to recover before leisure tourism, while . luxury travel will be the last to recover. With most countries having quarantine measures in place and closing their borders travellers will be opting for other options. Our survey also revealed that 32% of APAC respondents expressed their interest in family holidays, while 27% looked forward to having a relaxing staycation.
We remain optimistic that travel markets will recover sooner rather than later. We suggest that you keep in touch with us via your social media channel of choice and our dedicated newsletter, Wego Travel Pulse, to get the latest news in the travel space.
