Vaccine will save the travel industry, survey
OVER the last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted lives and industries across the world, with the travel and tourism industry one of the worst affected.
Official-esta.com has surveyed Brits to uncover how people feel about travel restrictions during the pandemic, the vaccines and travel in the future.
These findings show that over half (58 per cent) of Brits think the vaccine will save the travel industry. The United Kingdom is revealed as the country with the greatest increase in searches for ‘Covid-19 vaccine’ since March 2020, at 669 per cent.
A third (33 per cent) of those in both the 16-24 and 25-34 age groups said they only wanted the Covid-19 vaccine so they could go on holiday. Also 38.9 million Brits believe the Covid-19 vaccine should be compulsory for those travelling overseas.
SiteMinder unveils top revenue makers
SITEMINDER, the global hotel industry’s leading guest acquisition platform, has unveiled the lists of distribution channels that brought the greatest booking revenue to Middle East hotels in 2020. The top five are Booking.com, Expedia Group, hotel websites (direct bookings), Agoda and Hotelbeds.
The lists reveal a broader range of consumer choices and a shift away from the consolidation seen in previous years. Direct bookings have experienced sustained growth, with hotel websites ranking as the third-top producer of booking revenue for local hotels. The increased popularity of Airbnb; strengthening of local and regional distribution channels, such as WebBeds – Destinations of the World, dnata and Egypt Express Travel, as a result of restricted international travel; rise in spontaneous travel, spurred by unpredictable changes in travel restrictions; and the continued relevance of wholesalers, were some of the other findings.
Partnerships will bolster private travel
NEW research from VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, in association with Barton, the high-net-worth insight consultants, demonstrates the far-ranging value placed on partnerships by leading businesses in the sector.
While private aviation has continued to see an influx of new customers, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has in general been severe for many international luxury travel and hospitality businesses. Over three-quarters (77.8 per cent) of businesses have seen net revenue fall by at least 60 per cent year-on-year, and around 43 per cent saw a drop of over 90 per cent.
However, 25.9 per cent are optimistic and are starting to refocus their offering onto a HNW target group, predicting a rapid recovery to pre-pandemic levels. VistaJet itself saw an increase of 29 per cent in new members joining in 2020, while its sister brand XO has seen new membership sales up three times.
As businesses look ahead, a majority of industry leaders are looking to collaborative partnerships outside of their core business, to help mitigate the negative impact of travel restrictions and ensure their clients continue to experience unparalleled end-to-end service throughout their journey.
ITP & ABC Global Services join hands
ITP – International Travel Partnership, one of the world’s fastest-growing travel management and travel technology networks, and ABC Global Services, provider of the leading global hotel programme, announced a new strategic partnership.
ITP and ABC are opening access to their programs and systems for ITP Partners and ABC TMC members. Together ITP and ABC offer one of the world’s largest truly Independent travel management network organisations, focus on delivering technology and the best value across a range of travel management technology and services.
Richard Lovelock, Chief Executive Officer at ITP, said “For some time we have been looking for a strategic partner that provides access to a wider range of accommodation services and technology to strengthen ITP’s proposition in today’s market. Working in partnership with ABC Global Services, ITP will be able to add an extensive global Hotel network and consulting services, technology. ABC will be able to offer the opportunity for their members to join the ITP network providing global reach and TMC technology solutions.”