Our previous blogs that dealt with the change factors likely to impact travel & tourism in 2021 and beyond highlighted an important point that travel is never going to be the same. Or in other words, travel is fundamentally undergoing a radical shift and this cannot be taken lightly, at least not in the immediate future. 

Needless to mention, nobody knows exactly what the future unfolds because of the prevailing uncertainty involving the COVID-19 or Coronavirus pandemic which brings us to the point that we won’t be able to travel as freely as we used to do pre-pandemic period, of course without considering our health conditions. Travel industry by itself is a rapidly changing one but the dynamics of how it will be conducted this year promises a new chapter in its annals. Governmental regulations, by large, will have a huge impact in determining when travel operation will return to normalcy, given that people all over the world are rising up to the challenges created by the “new normal”. Mind you it’s a very determined effort coordinated to fight the unprecedented changes brought about by the unprecedented outbreak. 

Next comes health awareness which has gained greater precedence over everything else. People may travel but not without considering the risk factors in perspective. Today’s social media provide them the information that will help them decide their travel plans along with the risks that accompany them.  Interestingly, ardent travellers don’t seem to mind about the travel budget as long as they are at ease travelling once again with reduced exposure to COVID-19. It is only the fear of uncertainty that is likely going to impact travel operations. But this no doubt has triggered the travel ecosystem to adapt and innovate in novel ways beyond the traditional realms. We’ll continue to discuss what’s in store for the future of travel in 2021 and beyond in the subsequent blog.