The Pandemic is moving into a new phase as people get used to its endemic status. People are cautiously excited to get back to their favourite destinations and discover new ones as many plans to celebrate missed milestones and relive pre-pandemic traditions while others try to adapt to the new normal.
The last two years have taught us that nothing is permanent, and the future is uncertain. The only constant thing is change. People are taking these lessons to heart and traveling like there’s no tomorrow. Domestic Travel is seeing an uptick and Family reunion-style vacations are taking center stage this year.
This year feels markedly different than the last. More than just fabulous trips and extravagant itineraries, the focus is on why we travel. More and more, travelers are choosing to vote with their wallets and want their money to make a positive impact on the communities they visit and the environment. Travelers are more cognizant of supporting small businesses and actively seek out hotel brands that have sustainability initiatives.
Travel & Tourism stakeholders can take advantage of the growth in domestic and industry-specific segments to aid recovery. There are more varied opportunities for stakeholders to work together to adapt to the endemic nature of covid-19 and help business travel recover while also keeping safety in mind. Collaboration is essential and in addressing this challenge, speed and success will hinge on nurturing and developing existing partnerships, establishing new ones all the while improving upon sustainability initiatives.
In this new context, public-private cooperation, dialogue, and continued policy engagement will play a major role in the sector to successfully navigate the ebbs and flows of endemic COVID-19 to restore international mobility and rebuild traveler confidence.
The use of mixed in-person/digital events has increased, and this adds to the overall inclusivity for more people who wouldn’t have been able to travel to events. Digitalization cannot replace in-person interaction of most events but is an important medium to consider in the long run. After two years of uncertainty, Arabian Travel mart and Kerala Travel Mart are back on the calendar this month.
The stage is all set for KTM 2022, acclaimed to be the country’s largest buyer-seller mart featuring products and services of Kerala. Kerala is no stranger to global attention with its breathtaking natural beauty, myriad hues of tradition, and enchanting culture. Kerala’s public-private partnership in Tourism has always been a beacon and has set high standards for the country. Even though Kerala is a forerunner in sustainable Tourism, remaining sustainable remains a challenge.
New initiatives to reignite the sector, diversifying, shifting to more sustainable tourism models, and investing in new technologies could help to shape the recovery. The path of recovery will differ country-wise, and the pace and scope of recovery will change with global developments but there is very much to hope for.
Rajani. A
Editor