There’s no doubt that our world has drastically changed since the appearance of COVID-19. And one of the market sectors that’s been very seriously affected is one that we all love and care for deeply – the travel industry. How will things look going forward for the intrepid traveler? To help shed some perspective on what our future holidays might require, we present some Roatan travel predictions post COVID-19.
The Cruise Line Industry
The cruise line industry was one of the many tragic stories during the early phases of the pandemic. Several large ships housing growing numbers of sick passengers sailed around vainly attempting to find a port that would accept their landing. And now that they’ve all finally come to rest, the largest cruise ship companies are finding there is no government relief for their businesses during the shutdown. Much of this has to do with their nations of incorporation and whether those countries are actually able to provide stimulus packages. Until holidaymakers again feel comfortable that COVID-19 is not a threat, this all appears to be very bad news for the cruise line industry and those in Roatan who depend upon it. While the cruise ship business model is too well entrenched to never be able to return again, it will be some time before consumer confidence and the much needed passengers return. The silver lining to all this is that the cruise ship industry now has the time to examine its ability to provide healthier, greener and more environmentally friendly vacations to help it come back stronger than ever
The Hotel Industry
Hotels are another sector that have also seen a massive downturn in their customers’ patronage. Not quite as bad as what the cruise line industry has experienced, but not that great either. Beyond consumer confidence in spending time away from home, much of this has to do with the accommodation of large numbers of people in enclosed buildings. Social Physical distancing in elevators, dining rooms and lobbies becomes a problem if a hotel is expected to run at full capacity. It will be awhile before customers will be confident enough to book several days in a row at a hotel – no matter how many stars the accommodations boast.
Private Vacation Homes And Rentals
Compared with the business models discussed above, at least in the short term, it appears that private vacation homes may become a much more attractive choice for travelers of all types – at least until the virus is no longer considered a major threat. What is a problem for a specific business model can be an opportunity for others. When vacations become an achievable reality again – and they will – private rentals may become the darlings of the sector.
Fully amenitized vacation homes can seem like a much safer option to a vacationer or business person looking for a place to spend a night or several. Physical distancing problems fall away when you’re ensconced in a private property with only the people you know. Seclusion and privacy are a trending premium that many offer. While the ability to cook for yourself and have the space to work and/or relax will make private vacation rentals much more attractive in the early days of getting back to normal travel patterns