Tourism sector in 2021: tourism trends and changes

Tourism, along with hospitality, was the sector most severely affected by the pandemic in 2020. Although the forecasts for 2021 are more promising, it will only represent a partial recovery to 2019 levels. According to analysts, the rebound could begin during the third quarter of this year and will be based on three pillars: health safety, government aid, and consumer willingness. This year, tourism trends will be very different.

Tourism in 2021

2021 is shaping up to be a key year for the recovery of the tourism sector. After a disastrous period due to the pandemic, forecasts for the last quarter of this year are optimistic. However, the new sustainable tourism will be marked by several fundamental pillars.

Health measures

Customers of hotel establishments will seek maximum health safety. The return to normality will be gradual, and the trauma of the pandemic will still be latent, which will shape tourism trends. Therefore, it will be vital to maintain, optimise and adapt health protection measures. In the hypothetical case of a new surge in cases or the emergence of a new strain, the focus will be on free mobility, so hotels must be perceived as a safe environment. Some of the measures that must be maintained are social distancing, capacity limits in common areas, and hygiene, which will mark global tourism trends.

Government aid

The tourism sector has been severely hit by the pandemic. In countries like Spain, whose GDP largely depends on national and international tourism, public aid must serve as a springboard to recover pre-Covid revenues. Some new players, such as venture capital funds, are already beginning to take positions to help boost the sector throughout the year.

Traveller willingness

Undoubtedly, what will mark the recovery of the tourism sector will be people's willingness to travel. According to CESAE Business & Tourism School, this factor may be more decisive than public aid in recovering pre-crisis levels.

Tourism trends in 2021

Flexibility

To stimulate demand and confidence when travelling, hotels must be willing to be flexible with bookings. Facilitating free cancellations or refunds are critical aspects that will determine the future of the sector in the medium term.

Luxury tourism

On the other hand, it is believed that luxury tourism will be the first to recover. Therefore, customers will show greater predisposition to contract exclusive services, luxury suites, and all kinds of activities.

Implementation of new technologies

5G will also play an important role in the recovery. This technology will allow the exploitation of the Internet of Things, a new trend that could be exploited by the hotel sector to offer new services to its customers. On our portal, we already offer locks compatible with this technology.

Getting away from the city

Finally, the pandemic has generated a boom in rural tourism or staycations. Many customers will seek to move away from urban centres to enjoy contact with nature, considered a much safer environment after Covid. In summary, the sector faces a difficult recovery throughout 2021, which will be marked by customer willingness, public aid, and health measures. On the other hand, the emergence of new players will drive the short-term momentum of the sector. Above all, hotel owners must be willing to offer maximum flexibility in an uncertain scenario, which will shape future tourism trends.

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