Post-Pandemic Global Travel Resumes with Subdued Enthusiasm

“I am grateful that the pandemic has forced us to step back and look at ways of working we took for granted.”

The hospitality industry desperately needs a makeover as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc, shutting down many businesses worldwide. Even the big industry players faced heat, forcing them to lay off scores of employees. When the pandemic hit last year, the tourist influx worldwide dried up suddenly. There was no choice left for the industry, but to shut its doors. In a nutshell, the industry is bleeding. Now, with the vaccinations going on worldwide, the tourist movement has resumed, but not with the same frequency. Things will never be the same.

Given that international tourist arrival has begun, the hospitality industry has to be extra vigilant to remain Covid-19 free. With that said, the implementation of precautionary measures is inevitable. Tourists, on the other hand, will have to adapt to a whole new environment to prevent virus spread.

“I am grateful that the pandemic has forced us to step back and look at ways of working we took for granted,” said the regional president for emerging markets at Mars petcare brand Royal Canin.

“I am very happy not to go back to spending 80 percent of my time traveling. I am not even sure it will be 50 percent,” Burbery said from her home office in Paris.

Tourists aside, hospitality workers around the world have reeled under immense hardships as the industry witnessed rampant lay-offs during the pandemic. Even though tourists have returned, most of these workers are yet to get re-hired.

“As companies look forward, they are thinking about how to keep some of the cost savings they have realized,” said Anthony Jackson, head of Deloitte's U.S. aviation practice.

The quotes used in this piece were extracted from Reuters.