Travel reminds us of all the things that we share
Antoniοs Karatzis
President and Managing Director of
Nana Hotels
The next year will find the world of hospitality completely altered in certain key aspects, which are associated with consumer behaviours as well as the restrictions which will be present, transforming various deeply ingrained tourism habits.
More specifically, the current situation will affect various groups in different ways; people will come to revise the ways in which they travel and what a “vacation” means to them.
• For middle and upper-income families, the post-lockdown crisis will mean reduced expenditure on luxuries, with tourism taking a big hit. Disposable income will be reduced by significant amounts for many due to the recession that is expected. Many households will also increase their savings, following the widespread feeling of caution which is a given after the unsettling events which took place. These general truths will lead demand for hospitality services to decrease as people choose more economical ways in which to spend their time on holiday. Families are expected to become more selective when choosing their vacation destination, preferring hotels which offer a wide range of private amenities.
• For high-net-worth individuals, the wish for seclusion is now going to ring truer than ever. If the past decades found them in search for unique experiences in obscure destinations around the globe, the following years their preferences will shift, causing them to favour the complete privacy offered by renting a mansion or yacht over exploring unknown territory. Resorts with luxury villas and bungalows will be the name of the game, and those offering privé beaches are expected to be among the most popular. High-end in-room amenities such as private chefs or exclusive spa services will become prime selling points.
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• The age group of 70+ is expected to minimise tourism of all categories for a significant time period. Since they are considered to be among the most vulnerable and already had a tendency to avoid risk even before the pandemic, travel which they engage in is expected to be limited to the absolutely necessary. Especially considering their preference for cruises, a sector which is being hit because it does not o er the privacy which is now a necessary part of every vacation, it is apparent that elders will be skipping their summer holidays for the time being.
Privacy has always been an important factor for each stay, even before the events which are now shaping the tomorrow of tourism in Greece and the entire world. However, this situation has made it a completely defining feature, which can “make or break” the potential of each hospitality experience. Creating an air of seclusion is ideal for putting guests at ease at this time, as is due diligence when it comes to adhering to all new safety instructions set into place by health authorities.
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Following all necessary guidelines is key for minimising the risk factor of each stay and helping visitors to feel completely secure. Additional time and resources are expected to be allocated by hotel brands to the consistent re-training of their teams. To increase the comfort of guests and associates, the changes which will be implemented must be subtle, and yet noticeable; not made to dominate the experience, but, rather, imbue it with an additional feeling of security.
Generally speaking, we expect some of the services offered by the world of hospitality
to be altered; al fresco dining is going to be more popular than ever, as will outdoor fitness programmes. Domestic tourism in general will increase worldwide, with people preferring to stay “close to home” as a precaution; international visitors to Greece will hail mainly from European countries, as opposed to the USA in the short term (around 12 months). As spending power will be limited due to the crisis, it is time for the hospitality industry to show flexibility; standing together will help us face the tomorrow of tourism well-prepared.
Though tourism is facing some great challenges at the moment, now is the time for careful planning and original thinking to shine through. Hospitality leaders have found success despite diversity in the past, and will do so again; this is when the diligence shown in the past years will make its mark.
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