The travel industry is centered around the movement of people from one location to another, as well as the services and infrastructure needed to facilitate this movement. The travel sector encompasses a variety of industries, such as hotels, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and more.
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to dominate conversations, many businesses within the travel industry are facing challenging times. Hotels are experiencing lowered occupancy rates and reduced revenue, while airlines face low reservation numbers and diminished capacity. In addition, many travelers are seeking alternative accommodation options to hotels, such as Airbnb and short-term rental properties.
Despite the challenges, leisure travelers are slowly returning to the industry. According to Skift, summer travel season was strong this year, as vacations and visits to family and friends accounted for the majority of trips taken. This trend is expected to continue in the near future.
Hotels are refocusing their business models to appeal to leisure travelers. For example, they are increasing their focus on family amenities and introducing new services such as road trip packages and drive-in movie nights. Moreover, leisure travelers tend to be price sensitive and are more likely to use hotel discounts when booking vacations.
In the past, hotels were often viewed as an essential part of the travel industry. They offer a more complete experience than motels and other lodging options, and they are conveniently located close to airports, restaurants, attractions, and shopping. In addition, hotels are required to comply with accessibility regulations, such as those set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.