More than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, hotel occupancy rates are still down, most cruise ships are docked, meeting and conference halls are empty, and travel agent bookings have stopped — or at least slowed considerably.
“There has been zero business travel booked since this pandemic started, and all international leisure travel has been negatively affected,” says Laurel Brunvoll, owner and president of Unforgettable Trips in Gaithersburg, MD.
But the pandemic is also showing that this industry is among the most resilient. Simply put, people want to travel. And travel advisors and suppliers alike are eager to get them on the road, in the air and aboard cruise ships. In fact, advisors who commented for this article say business is slowly returning; and some are getting inquiries and bookings for 2021 and beyond.
Sectors like air and lodging are already at work, albeit at a reduced capacity. According to the Transportation Security Administration, for example, the number of passengers going through checkpoints has been on a slow rise, from the low of 87,534 on April 14 (a 96 percent freefall from the same date in 2019) to over 2 million over the recent Labor Day weekend. Nearly half that total came on that Friday, when 968,000 travelers flew – the highest number since March 17.
And according to an American Hotel and Lodging Association study released Aug. 31, 65 percent of US properties reported occupancy rates approaching 50 percent – about double April’s historically low rate of 24.5 percent.
Esta historia es de la edición October/November 2020 de Business Traveler.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October/November 2020 de Business Traveler.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Train of Thought
As Amsterdam’s airport curtails flights because of environmental impact, KLM suggests that its passengers take to the rails
Entry Level
Why travelers are waiting weeks or even months to receive a new passport or renewal
Big Wheels
American Airlines offers a TSA-approved ground service between Philadelphia and surrounding airports
Le Bon Goût
Air France partners with Michelin-starred chefs for its new menus
First Glance
United unveils new high-end seats
Ring of Fire
In October and April, solar eclipses will dazzle the United States
Just Say Know
To improve mental health, learn new skills on the road—and have fun doing it
Rebalancing Act
How Finnair CEO Topi Manner led the airline through two external crises to bring it back on track
New Look
With industry innovations and a star-studded roster of clients, designer Peter Dundas is changing the shape of fashion
Food for Thought
The pioneering Spanish restaurant EI Bulli is transformed into a museum and culinary laboratory