Travel & Tourism – Post Global Pandemic
What will the tourism and travel industry look like post coronavirus pandemic? What will be the effect on air travel? Will people still go on cruises? What about international travel and domestic travel – when will it all start up again? What new guidelines will we need to deal with? So many questions and not that many answers right now.
Our little island of Jamaica has been affected immensely by this pandemic. Tourism drives approximately 9% of Jamaica’s GDP, and contributes in revenue terms approximately 20% of GDP. Substantial and scary for Jamaica’s economy. But, we will be here when this is all over.
Enjoying the view
Here’s what I would like to see for post-pandemic travel.
Airlines – less people per row in airplanes, lower fares to encourage travel, more flexible booking.
Insurance – reasonable travel insurance costs and a ‘cancel for any reason’ travel insurance.
Large Resorts & Hotels
- Cleaner properties with more sanitizers onsite and disinfecting more often.
- Decrease in occupancy in large resorts – every other room – allowing for better disinfecting of rooms and less people at the resort to maintain better social distancing.
- No more buffets or hire buffet police to monitor guests who are eating while in the lineup, using their hands to pick up food, or exhibiting poor buffet etiquette.
- Hire servers to serve from the buffet table.
- Social distancing between tables, poolside, bars, etc.
- Restrict numbers where necessary.
Small Resorts & Hotels
- More discerning travellers begin choosing boutique, smaller, private resorts.
- The small resorts will help to maintain social distancing – less guests means more room for each guest.
- No buffets, a la carte or served meals.
- Enthusiastic and strict housecleaning and infection control procedures.
- Less resources used – more sustainable travel, less impact on the environment, smaller footprint.
- Private transportation for guests, not big buses
Cruises – don’t fill every room, pretty much the same as stated for Large Resorts.
We hope, travellers will choose smaller resorts. I know we can offer great rooms with unparalleled views, an authentic Jamaican vacation, exceptional guest service and a safe and healthy vacation. With less people you can maintain your social distancing if that’s what you prefer. No lineups, plenty of room by the pool and space to do what you wish. Our meals are prepared to your specifications and served to you. No buffets, no cross contamination, no worries.
Let’s just sit and enjoy
On one hand, we hope this pandemic quickly resolves so lives can go back to the new normal. On the other hand, don’t go too quickly to jeopardize the health of the people.
I believe that the economics of just about every nation in the world has been unduly affected so we need to start generating income. We need the consumer to become confident again in travelling. Many of us in tourism are awaiting the fate of what travel will be post pandemic. We can only hope guests will be anxious to return to our little piece of paradise, and others will be wanting to try a different smaller resort.
Here’s to coming out of this safe, happy and hopefully not 19 pounds heavier.
‘Let the waves wash your worries away.’
Happy thoughts
Baba
PLAN SMART FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION – BOOK NOW!