Holding out hope for a far better year on a cautious note of optimism, the curtains on 2021 have lifted and therefore begun. From a travel and hospitality viewpoint, a query emerges: are there some notable trends that are most likely to scale up this year? From remote working, luxury staycations, pod travel to the idea of ‘bleisure’ combining organization and leisure travel as an emerging segment, we feel there are quite a few emerging trends. Few major players in the hospitality ecosystem shared their insights with TheSpuzz Online as follows.
Nibhrant Shah, Co-Founder & CEO, Isprava & Lohono Stays outlined the following 5 crucial trends for the year as follows:
Remote working: Virtual meetings and on the net classes have created it simpler for men and women to work from any nook of the globe without the need of any hassles.
Luxury staycations: Domestic travel with preference to staycation: With international travel restrictions and quarantine guidelines, there is going to be a rise in domestic travel with further push for luxurious staycation solutions. They now choose villas more than hotels and restaurants with more spaces like manicured gardens, villas with a backyard, pool with a deck and more.
Pod travel: This pandemic has brought a alter in the viewpoint of a traveller. They have realised the value of getting with loved ones. Our guests also largely incorporate a household of more than 4, with pets or a close knitted group.
Traveling closer to cities: Locations preferred by travellers are close to the city they reside in so that they can knowledge a slower pace of life but nonetheless be close to their reality.
Regenerative travel: After the lockdown, men and women are wanting to travel to the interiors or any location which is closer to Nature to refresh themselves from a entirely indoor life-style.
According to Kamesh Shukla, EVP and Head for APMEA-RateGain, there are handful of notable trends through the unprecedented instances which are most likely to obtain momentum this year. In his words, “The priorities of traveller behavior continues to evolve, and this will never be the same again.” He additional elaborated on handful of niche travel trends that are emerging as follows:
New micro-segments with hybrids inside classic travel segments
This trend prevailed through pre covid inside domestic, regional and international landscapes like the staycationers ,drive-cationers, workations that evolved from the “bleisure” segment (hybrid of Business + Leisure). In truth, the micro sub-segmentation will continue to evolve and get a lot more complicated with altering priorities, preferences and patterns of the guest behavior collectively with the new industry alterations.
Resorts and Vacation Rentals witness robust demand
As travelers emerge from the pandemic and discover solutions for staycations or a alter of scenery in a secure and sanitized manner, in search of bigger spaces that are far better equipped for longer leisure stays and social isolation, suburban destinations, resorts and VacationRental (VR) business continues to witness robust demand, outpacing hotels on the pandemic recovery front.
Hotels & airports could witness 4x raise in inquiries connected to security protocols
Guests/Travelers are placing overall health and security very first and this shall continue to be the prime ask. At the similar time they are also turning to social media to study more about destinations, airlines and hotel’s security protocols and re-openings. Hotels and Airlines can anticipate to see a 4x raise in inquiries about house restrictions and security procedures on social as we trend upwards on the recovery side.
Digital knowledge emerges crucial gamechanger for hospitality segment
Before the pandemic, travelers or guests interacted with a hotel brand mainly by means of the physical knowledge (e.g., how comfy was the bed) and the service knowledge (e.g., how quick was the verify-in course of action?). Now, there is the digital knowledge and hotels are at present least equipped to capitalize on the digital knowledge which guarantees that all guest wants are met practically – prior to, through as effectively as right after their keep.
Across India’s hospitality segment, the digital metamorphosis has been practically nothing else than transformational for leisure and organization travelers.
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Highlighting digitisation efforts, Bhagwan Balani – General Manager, ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa told TheSpuzz Online, “A number of operation related activities have been digitised thereby enabling contact light services. We have rolled out QR friendly in-room menu for dining, guest service directory, digitalised restaurant menus and Check-in & Check-out processes empower the guest to stay safely distant. In fact, the advanced sanitisation methods deployed in guest limousine services and baggage are duly tagged as ‘Sanitagged’ to provide guests with an added reassurance. Each room has its own private balcony ensuring that a guest can relax in the comfort of the room itself. Guest safety is prioritised above all, and the rooms are serviced only when a guest is away from the room, after soliciting a time.”
The point is that at the finish of a trip or a holiday, travellers want to really feel superior about themselves and the possibilities they created about each and every aspect of their travel and accommodation. Even when the pleased and leisurely moments are handful of and far among, the sense of fulfilment of possessing it is unmatched when you have travelled and created possibilities for oneself and your household or pals.
These travel trends spark a new starting in 2021. One step at a time, travellers can take up and opt for what suits them most effective though adhering to the security protocols and social distancing norm.