Tourism Industry, we need to unite and it is now.

Destinations are opening up and the people can see a ray of light.

Countries are opening up with UNTWO and WHO standards in place. Destinations are providing assistance for holidaymakers and the tourism trade by tax reductions, visa fee reduction, destination promotions, and loans to stay positive amidst everything.

Resort and Hotels have slashed prices, they are currently trying to push domestic travel within their borders too. They have started webinars, virtual tours of their properties, slashed prices to attract holidaymakers, and many more incentives to encourage travel. This all comes with hygiene standards and safety precautions taken as per UNWTO and WHO standards.

This thought came to me in the middle of the night; What happens with airlines?

Our industry is not a solo game but a dependent collaboration, we are all one large unit operating separately.

The airlines, cruises, trains, resorts, tour operators, dependent trades, and governments.

Earlier holidaymakers booked destinations that fit their budget. This means hotels and ground handling that fit their holiday budget.

The world opened up more and this trend changed later to; let’s travel to countries that fit my air ticket budget.

Air ticket prices became a major contributing factor for tour operators and holidaymakers to decide on what destination we sell or visit.

Let’s talk about airlines and the difficulties they might face, solutions, and current observations:

• Expats that traveled back home noticed that prices of airline ticket prices had doubled.
• One way tickets I assume for the coming months shall remain hiked, as airlines too under a very difficult situation.
• With the opening of borders, will the UNWTO, WHO, and governments enforce one seat kept free regulation? If this is implemented this might result in a price hike as airlines still have a large operating cost to bare from staff, government taxation, fuels, maintenance, and airport charges.
• If only health and hygiene standards have to be met, will airlines hike the prices until things return to normal? Which in turn would be a difficulty for destinations who opened up, where holidaymakers cannot afford the air tickets.
• The competition within the airlines too will always have to remain as they have to protect their products and QA standards.
• Will IATA regulated fares be the solution like the old days?
• Will regulation a maximum and minimum fare from what region to region (Eg: Europe to South Asia) flight operates be the solution?

Can we suggest more solutions to the TOURISM INDUSTRY?

Kindly note we cannot devise a game plan without everyone coming to the table.

No use if resorts and hotels give discounts if governments charge high visa fees.

Pointless if resorts slash room rates if airlines hike their prices?

No use if airlines, resorts, tour operators, and travel agents open up, without governments assisting them. This so that they can keep their existing staff with financial support and ensure standards and protocols can be efficiently carried out.

Can we unite and come to a solution? The tourism industry is large, it is not only dependent on airlines, resorts, and tour operators. Other contributors, like public spaces (museums and malls), engineers, accountants, restaurants, and even the clothing industry would have a major impact if the tourism trade shall remain to be in turmoil.

Let us unite! Anytime during the day, I shall be open for bouncing of ideas and how we can push to implement them.

We need to unite and it is now.

Cheers!

LISWITH