The 2020 coronavirus pandemic brought the travel industry to a standstill. The silence of a world without travel was deafening but has also created clarity about the importance of travel. The crisis has changed the travel industry and rebuilding it again will mean accepting that the changes will lay a new path. By coming together, we can rebuild a travel industry that is more resilient, frictionless, sustainable, and accessible.
There is no clear answer on when we return to normalcy, and what the new normal will look like, but travel is a resilient industry and we emphatically believe that it will return to normal levels. We need to listen and watch, to understand traveler behavior and motivations during this time, so we are best prepared to re-engage with them when the time is right to travel.
The research reveals that one in two travelers feel optimistic – that is, comfortable or even excited – about taking a trip in the next 12 months – while the other half need more reassurance. Though consumer confidence in travel varies by country and generation, the importance of hygiene measures, flexibility, and financial peace of mind is more universal. Three-quarters of travelers said measures such as mask enforcement, contactless services, and flexibility, including easy refunds or cancellation policies, will inform where they visit on their next trip.Traveler trends in the next 12 months
Factors influencing transportation and accommodation decisions
Travel providers, as well as destination organizations, need to clearly communicate health and hygiene measures, pandemic protocols and flexibility to reassure and attract travelers
Inspiring future travel
Technology to reduce friction
The research shows that people will book travel if they are confident in their ability to change plans and stay safe. Expedia Group is investing in technology that provides travelers and lodging partners with more choice in how they seek support, while helping complete tasks faster and make informed decisions.
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Konstantinos Alexopoulos has been a professional in the Greek hospitality industry for two decades with extensive experience in hotel
management, operation and consulting. He is the CEO of Domotel Hotels & Resorts Group, which has a history of more than 15 years in its current form and a heritage in the hospitality sector which began in 1964. Additionally, he holds the position of CEO at DHR Services,
supporting hospitality brands through his extensive know-how in the industry; both positions are reinforced by his ten years of experience in the construction sector in Greece and the Balkans, which furthered his knowledge of local markets. Having completed his Degree as a Civil Engineer at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, he continued with a Master in Science in “Construction Economics and Management” in UCL and a Master of Arts in Hospitality Management in Middlesex University. Furthermore, he has attended two complementary training programs in finance and management at the University of Macedonia. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greek Tourism Enterprises Confederation (SETE) and the treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Institute of SETE, a member of the Leadership Committee of the Hellenic – American Chamber of Commerce and holds positions in a number of Boards of Directors of other organizations.
After completing her Bachelor in Business Administration (Minor in Science and Economy) at the American College of Thessaloniki, she continued with an MBA in Hospitality Marketing at Les Roches School of Hotel Management in Switzerland and a Diploma of Higher Education in International Tourism “The French approach” from the Universite Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne. She has been running the family owned hotel for almost twenty years, initially as an Operations Manager and later on as General Manager and CEO. She has been a member of the Board of Directors in Thessaloniki’s Hotels Association and has participated as a guest speaker in several lectures and seminars such as Yield Managementin Les Roches (Bluche, Switzerland), and Operations Management Principles and Housekeeping Principles in CMH (Paris, France).