Sheri gill 
According to the Mobility Market Outlook on COVID-19, the travel and tourism industry saw a 42.1% decrease in revenue in 2020 as compared to the previous year.
Unlike many historical tragedies, the coronavirus outbreak did not burdenus with just one catastrophic event. Instead, the virus has continued to snake its way around the world. The disease devastated millions of lives,that lead to a global health and economic crisis.
Our lives started shifting slowly in the start, but before we knew it, the coronavirus started ruling our lifestyles completely.
Self-quarantine, lockdowns, business closures, remote working, borders closed, travel bans, there is so much to list down that came into our lives as a result of the outbreak.
While the coronavirus did not leave any industry prosperous, it harmed the travel and tourism industry the most.
Due to the virus outbreak, many countries closed their borders and also put travel bans, which was the last nail in the coffin of upset travelers who had planned their trips for 2020.
Nevertheless, the travel and tourism industry suffered from decreased revenue, but it brought some beneficial changes to the industry as well.
And now, after months of closures, the world has begun opening its tourism sites for the tourist and travelers. Airlines have started reinstating routes, and more travelers are getting in planes.
However, one thing is for sure that the travel industry would not remain the same after the catastrophic event. Even the travelers will not be following the same rules and regulations that they followed in the pre-coronavirus days. Instead, a lot is going to change, and a lot has changed already.
Here are a few things to highlight how the coronavirus outbreak will change the travel and tourism industry forever:
Fewer Crowds at Tourist Magnet
Iconic landmarks, theme parks, and museums are known for attracting a large crowd. However, now they have started reopening but are not expecting the huge crowd. Instead, it is expected, that these places would see a much smaller crowd and a more controlled one.
Here is a statement from the Walt Disney Co. upon reopening the theme park in Florida, “in order to reopen the park in theseunusual times, we all have to manage ourtheme park differently.”
Most of the theme parks around the world have also reopened, and people realize that following coronavirus-enforced restrictions such as maintaining social distance and wearing masks is now the “normal” way of living to even enjoy their visit at the amusements sites.
It means that there will be no more holding of large crowds in one place.
Private Travel Will Be a Thing
The pandemic has increased higher demands for private traveling experiences. It is predicted that unless a vaccine is being found, private traveling will be a thing.
A survey taken in May by the USA Travel Association concluded that people feel more comfortable traveling in their vehicles and also staying in vacation rentals rather than taking flights.
Dow, of the US Travel Association, says that the pandemic will increase the interest in Great American Road Trip, where travelers can face fewer crowds.
Stay Closer to Home
The pandemic has changed people’s perspective towards their lifestyle. Many people have realized the importance of cherishing the basics. For instance, people that could not travel in the pandemic cured their travel lust with virtual traveling.
By only investing in a high-speed internet service like Hughesnet, that has affordable Hughesnet plans, helped them in enjoying virtual tours by sitting safely in their homes.
Similarly, it is predicted that most Americans who used to hop on long flights will first enjoy places that are closer to their homes.
It means that local travel and tourism will flourish from the decision of the travelers.
The restaurant and local bars might also grab benefit from tourists roaming around in their cities.
Contact-Free and Clean Technology Will Be Prioritized
One thing that coronavirus has made people realize is that nothing comes above your health. People have started to prioritizing cleanliness and safety more than anything.
Not only people but hotels have also started being proficient in health and safety. While the hotels have to make sure they keep the places clean and safe, they also have to make the travels feel comfortable.
The traveler needs to expect more frequent cleaning, abundant sanitizers, and reminders to keep themselves at a distance from others in the coming days.
Bottom Line
Travelers need to prepare themselves for a changed travel routine after the coronavirus outbreak.
