At our Round Table this time, we zoomed into the travel industry, which has drastically changed during the pandemic. The destinations we travel to have been altered leading to rise in demand for more secluded destinations. Travel budgets, corporate travel, costs, operations and logistics have been revised and revamped with a close look at the current and the future.

What are the new angles on inbound and outbound tourism? How will travel change in the near future? What are the pandemic driven cost implications for existing hospitality service providers? All this and more was talked and tabled, in our very special Round Table – Travel.

The RT was moderated by LWL Titan Taruna Seth, Founder, Encompass Experiences LLP.

Joining the conversation with valuable insights, our esteemed panellists included:

 
– LWL Titan Amruda Nair, Director, Araiya Hotels and Resorts
– LWL Titan Sunaina Talwar Khiani, Founder, Strategia
– AindrilaMitra, Editor-in-chief at Travel + Leisure India & South Asia
– Aashica Khanna, Executive Director, Ananda In The Himalayas

The 5  biggest takeaways from the talk: 

1. For Here or to Go?

The big question is whether the boutique hotel industry will pack up or buck up. But as stressed upon by AindrilaMitra, hotels are already adapting to changing times. Strategies like flexibility of bookings, zero cancellation policy, facilities for isolation and quarantine (done by IBIS) to counter the weary traveller have been put in place. Case in point being OYO positioning long term stays for 3 months and more to attract customers at sharp price points. Moreover, treating these stays as a working vacation since most companies were shut during the eye of the pandemic, showcased a unique positioning strategy.

Clearly, hotels are up to the challenge – to perish is not an option. The solution is pivot and adapt as they live to fight another day.

2. The Road Less Travelled:

According to Aashica Khanna, travellers are looking at either unexplored destinations or unexplored parts of previously explored destinations. The pandemic has created the need for these choices in an organic manner. Many people returned to the same vacation spot but owing to fear of crowds, looked at new nooks and crannies to nestle in.

Others chose destinations which had not been previously visited and considered off the map. People looked at finding new reasons to go to places rather than the revered, bucket list, little black book itineraries, which would be popular but populated.

3. This CAB is Costly:

AmrudaNair spoke about how the loss of human capital during the pandemic affected the industry severely. Rotating employees, making provision for leave and work from home scenarios, new forms of training, e-meetings with huge staff numbers etc became the new drill. In addition to that, maintaining overall hygiene, stocking safety products and the CovidAppropriate Behaviour (CAB) checklist, all came at a cost. To make it all financially viable, relationships with suppliers and vendors had to be carefully managed in order to stay afloat. Looking ahead, the sector has taken a step back to be prepared and now with things opening up, it is looking to leap forward.

4. The PR Passport:

Talking about the PR tools at hand to generate more occupancy, Sunaina Talwar Khiani spoke about how boutique hotels pre-pandemic, looked at foreign incoming travellers as compared to domestic travellers at a 70:30 ratio. A big change being seen here where they are now skewed more to domestic travellers.

Also, children and familyhave become new target pegs for niche properties as opposed to adult centred travel touchpoints. Safe outdoor activities and integrated wellness have become vital attractions for domestic occupancy. Digital has taken a gargantuan leap as people have more screen time and that is where huge business is being generated. Instagram, reels, stories, boomerangs, lives etc will continue to create a tsunami of visual aid to bolster the travel industry.

5. Make in India:

Moderator Taruna Seth believed that Indian travellers have slowly understood what the country has to offer in terms of tourism. The plethora and depths of niche travel destinations at home, have been unearthedby people during the lockdown.

Locals are now eagerly interested in village walks and tours, cuisine and heritage, culture and ecosystem, of domestic regions and properties.

A new lens. A new discovery. A new Indian destination is being witnessed by the sector.

In conclusion, moving forward, it is set to be the era of the conscious traveller, who champions sustainability travel options, and thrives on local experiences.

On the travel wish list we got a hands up for Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Croatia, Kerela, South America, The Nordic Countries, Greece, North East India, Penguin Watching in Antarctica. Where are you thinking?

About the Contributor:

Nikhil Sangha is a creative content writer, actor and voice over artist.

He has written social media content and shorts for brands like LWL, GQ, Coca Cola, MasterCard, Yes Bank Foundation, TLLLF – The Deepika Padukone Foundation, Bosch, Siemens, Škoda and HRX among others.