After the Corona effect, these new circumstances will bring many changes in tourism and travel and the hotel industry needs to be prepared for that. The industry should plan for the future by stepping out of confusion. Further tourism trends are more likely to be limited to short trips. Because of this there may be a need to open new hotel restaurants. But right now the hotel and restaurant industry need to overcome the doubts of consumers and win their trust.
What will the hotel industry have to do to overcome a sluggish economy due to this epidemic?
The hotel industry has to prepare itself for the post-lock down situation to ensure safety. There will be 2 benefits, one is that you will get proper time for preparation and at the same time it will help to increase the confidence of potential consumers.
This is a time for hoteliers to prepare for the future. If the outbreak of Corona lasts as long as it is expected, it will be necessary to bring about a lot of change in the hotel and restaurant business.
Such as ensuring distance between customers and staff, taking care of the cleanliness and safety of customers and service lines, keeping the in-house air clean etc. You will see that there is a possibility of change in customer demand as well.
What kind of changes you see in customer demand?
Right now it can only be anticipated, but high hygiene standards and social distancing will be prioritized, I believe, proper ventilated rooms, roof-top cafes and open air restaurants will be on priority. Hotels have to find solutions as soon as possible and make changes.
The basic question of today for hoteliers is how to restore customer confidence in times of global crisis?
Efforts have been initiated to make the medium of travel safe.
You must be looking at new guidelines coming from government for personal vehicles, rail, bus and air travel.
The entire process of tourism will be secured for this. To make the hotel room safe, the industry will have to make new regulations, control the number of tourists at tourist places. Have to pay attention to all steps.
Even after that, in my view, it should wait you years to see such a crowd at major tourist places as you used to see in the year 2019.
Do you see any positivity in the tourism industry in the near future?
To make the hotel room safe and to limit the footfall the entire hotel industry has to make rules. Hotels have to bring transparency about their sanitation efforts. Customers have to be motivated to bring back.
Restaurants must strengthen take-away, home delivery etc. systems.
We should be prepared to see many new things in the future in this domain.
Rahul Mishra
Tourism Expert
Director - GJAC Solutions
Cont.: +91-9582078899
(Article based on, Interview of Mr. Rahul Mishra by Business Breaking News ML)