Last March, the hospitality industry took a dip that couldn’t have been anticipated. Suddenly, no one was traveling, and trips that had been on the books for months were off indefinitely. Over a year later, countries around the world are beginning to lift their travel bans, and while the world hasn’t returned to “normal,” we are beginning to see how hotels and others in the hospitality industry are reacting to the pandemic. 

In many cases, the changes we’ve seen over the last year may be here to stay. Let’s take a look at how 

1.    Local travel will be favored over international travel 

If you’ve considered a “staycation” or domestic travel in the last 12 months, you’ve hopped on this trend. For the next few years at least, international travel will not appeal or be available to certain groups of people. Americans, in particular, are not permitted entry to over 100 of the world’s countries at the moment. While it is possible to enter countries under certain restrictions, it is often easier and safer to default to domestic travel. 

2.    Contactless is now everywhere

Staying at a hotel is a drastically different experience than it once was. Avid travelers were accustomed to visiting the front desk and having contact with hospitality personnel through nearly every stage of the process. However, to promote social distancing and elevate property-wide hygiene, hotels have rolled contactless programs. If contact between guests and employees can be avoided, it will be. In many cases, this means using an app to check-in, get your key, or request services. 

3.    Road tripping has become ever more popular

Road tripping spiked in popularity last summer. People still wanted to “get away,” but they did not want to board an airplane or any other form of communal transport. Using a personal vehicle opens up the world and allows anyone with a car to explore the world and personalize their trip during this period of uncertainty. 

4.    Sustainable travel will be prioritized

Do you remember the first few weeks during the pandemic last year? No one was commuting to work or flying across the world, and carbon emissions were at an all-time low. The positive impact of this on the environment was so significant that it made national news. As travel makes its come back, sustainable travel will undoubtedly be a priority. Hotel and other hospitality organizations will prioritize sustainable measures and regulations for an eco-friendly future. 

5.    Traditional tourism will be discouraged

The hospitality industries are now encouraging anyone who will be traveling to dive into off-the-beaten-path destinations. Instead of Athens, Barcelona, and Rome, try Thessaloniki, Zaragoza, and Padua. These alternative destinations in the world’s most popular countries will help reduce over-tourism and crowding in urban hotspots. 

Final thoughts

We’d be lying if we said hotels and hospitality would return just as they were pre-COVID-19. The pandemic has made its mark on modern times, and it’ll continue to impact how we act and travel for years to come.