The COVID-19 crisis has brought uncertainty to many sectors that are currently unable to calculate forecasts for 2021. One of the sectors most affected by this reality is tourism, which, with its vulnerable nature, is facing trouble forecasting its future for the upcoming months of 2021, considering the difficulties it faced during 2020.
The tourism sector is one of the most potent industries worldwide. It faces various challenges in terms of security, communication, marketing, and digitization, among others. Likewise, its role as a generator of jobs is admirable, with most of the work being done by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The decisions that will have to be taken for the 2021 summer season will be drastic but decisive for maintaining tourism as one of the world economy engines behind industries such as chemicals. What is vital for this period is that the decisions to be taken are rational and based on the relevant information to date. The following is an analysis of the significant challenges and opportunities that tourism will encounter this new year and to which it must adapt.
The post-covid environment has transformed tourists, looking for more detailed factors such as health, social distancing, comfort, and services offered to enjoy their vacations. This extra demand poses a significant challenge for the tourism sector, which will have to invest capital in guaranteeing sanitary measures to avoid infection and the pandemic’s spread.
Along with the guarantee of security and peace of mind, technology has made its way among the most critical challenges that the tourism sector must face during 2021. Incorporating new technology has made it easier for hoteliers to adapt to the new reality and create jobs in the industry. Looking ahead to the 2021 summer period, companies and players in the tourism sector will have to make decisions and modifications focused on the work protocol, adaptability to new technology, and one more extra element, creativity.
Creativity will be what will make a difference in the tourism sector in 2021. Although broad and complex, this concept is, after the covid-19 pandemic, one of the most relevant ideas that tourists take into account when planning their vacations. It seeks to break with the monotony and the feeling of confinement experienced during the past year, so one of the biggest challenges tourism will face in 2021 comprises how we materialize our service through the different platforms and websites.
The tourism sector must be able to take their future visitors on a trip before even getting there; for this, they must take advantage of the challenge that digitalization and creativity introduced. We must embark on a new “brand building” that allows us to improve our image and have a closer treatment for the customer through the screen before they arrive at their destination.
In this line, sustainability, flexibility in booking, cancellation policies, and the differentiation of the type of tourism we offer will allow the hotelier and tourist sector to capture the public’s attention.
Although 2020 was presented as a complicated year for all sectors, especially for the tourism sector, 2021 allows us to reinvent ourselves and prepare for any adversity. This sector has a lot at stake facing the summer period of 2021, but adapting to the health reality and guaranteeing safety and disconnection will make any destination of great relevance and interest for tourists.
If you would like to know more, please contact:
Ana MarÃa MartÃn | From our Brussels team
amartin@atrevia.com