Editorial: After the Coronavirus, the Eldorado of the travel addict?

Let’s face it: the travel industry is going through a huge crisis that will leave its mark. For hoteliers, this is going to hurt a lot, especially for independent hoteliers. For the airline industry, the crisis was expected. Well, not this one and not in this form and for other reasons, but in the end the result will be the same: consolidation, reduction of overcapacity and even the disappearance of certain business models that have not proven their efficiency or resilience.

This said, we are neither in 2001 nor in 2008. This is a cyclical situation, not a structural one. So of course the market will consolidate, some will suffer, but strangely less than we may think. If we had had a market crisis, we would have had bankruptcies and takeovers. Here we are in a global crisis that will ultimately force states to intervene, which they would not have done in a purely sectoral crisis.

So it will start again and for the moment the best informed expect a return to normal for July or August. At least for Asia which is coming out of the tunnel and part of Europe which will follow with a few months delay. For the American continent we will wait. So close and so far at the same time. Let’s accept the omen and cross our fingers.

Manufacturers will have no choice but to restart the pump. To make people want to travel again, to make them want to spend money for a trip in a still uncertain context because there will be planes and hotels to fill.

Lately the “good deals” section of TravelGuys has remained empty and you will easily understand why. However the good plans existed…like Paris-Melbourne at less than 1100 euros in business. But we wondered who would have been eligible to get on the plane with all the restrictions in place. But the proof that in case of crisis, when planes have to be filled, yield management specialists know what to do.

As soon as it becomes clearer, it will be, for a while at least, a festival of good prices, of discounts (and in all classes) for those who know how to decide quickly. Not to mention the predictable gestures to the attention of the grounded “frequent flyers” that the airlines will want to get out of their wait-and-see attitude. There are already some good rates for this summer but we don’t recommend taking the risk until we have a better idea.

In the airline industry it is safe and it can last because they have to boost all the medium and long distance flights. In the hotel industry may be less because it can be relaunched on a local or national clientele that prefers vacations in the vicinity and has not stopped its operations even if it has suffered.

A ray of sunshine in these frustrating times for frequent travelers, but whose disappointment is nothing compared to what those who work in the sector live and is not worth much when we think of those who are affected by the coronavirus from near or far.

But a ray of sunshine that will eventually arrive at a time when many will want to breath some fresh air in every sense of the word. So if a few special offers can make you decide to work in hotels, airlines, restaurants, etc… don’t hesitate. Being supportive by pleasing yourself and helping the recovery is better than “just traveling.

Photo : Eldorado by SevenMaps via Shutterstock