Postcovid traveler forces suppliers to reposition themselves
A new Accenture survey of more than 9,650 people in 19 countries suggests that the covid-19 pandemic has led to a shift in traveler priorities, which means the entire industry will have to reposition itself. Suppliers will have to adapt their strategies to a consumer whose priorities revolve around health, ethics, local consumption and digital tools.
The pandemic has caused changes in the way people deal with travel. Although the study of Accenture is referring to private travel, some of its findings reveal a change in attitudes that may condition the business travel in the future.
According to the survey carried out by the consultancy firm, the current uncertainty about how and where to travel means that Spanish consumers are still cautious. Fifty-seven percent expect to spend less on travel in the next six months compared with their pre-pandemic spending.
For the future, 51% of Spaniards surveyed said they would significantly change the way they travel, despite the easing of restrictions. Despite these misgivings, leisure travel remains a priority. Fifty-seven percent of Spanish consumers have already booked travel or plan to do so in the next six months.
43%say they currently have no business travel plansafter the pandemic, or intend to cut previous business travel in half.
It remains to be seen how long this view will hold, but current prospects indicate that the return to travel will resume primarily in the leisure market, which will push the industry to adapt and become even more efficient to compensate for the loss of revenue.
Travel providers will have to adapt their strategies to cater to the new consumer. The postcovid customer is more aware of the wellness, the local character and the sustainability in your travels, as well as being very conscious of health health and safety measures.
Two-thirds (66%) of respondents in Spain say that taking care of physical and mental health is the most important lifestyle change they have made, which is why travelers will be more likely to make the most important lifestyle changes;
Travelers will be more willing to visit a facility or country they feel is safe and more likely to spend their money with a company they feel takes adequate precautions.
76% want to work from a "third space", i.e., a location other than their home or workplace, providing hotels with alternative revenue streams and new opportunities to meet customer needs.