The travel and tourism market in 2022, a huge unknown

Although the current season is just beginning, there are already those who analyze what the business map will be like after another meager year

Those who read the title may think it was a typo, but it is not. The current season is just beginning but it is clear that it will be a kind of filter where those who survive will have their long-awaited recovery by 2023. 

With a first semester for oblivion and a second where only work will be put to at least improve the levels of 2020, the sights are undoubtedly set on what type of market we will have the following year. Connectivity is the one who here is shown as the weakest. 

Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of IATA, has been very blunt in stating: "It was easy for governments to close their countries with unilateral actions. But the restoration of global connectivity needs cooperation. IATA participates in the standard setting process . We are making rapid progress with the IATA Travel Pass. And we aim to be good partners for governments to establish viable reset plans based on global standards. And our history of partnering with governments to make air travel the safest way Long-distance transportation gives us a model to work with and the confidence that we can succeed. "

“As we have seen, unilateral government decisions are very effective in preventing global mobility. However, the restoration of freedom to travel can only be achieved with cooperation. Governments are already realizing the great challenge of doing so without adopting global standards on vaccines and testing. This highlights the urgency of the work being done by WHO, OECD and ICAO. IATA participates in these initiatives and is willing to collaborate with governments in their implementation, ”said De Juniac.

“The already tepid recovery in demand for air travel came to a complete halt in November, as a result of new travel restrictions and more severe quarantine measures in response by governments to the new waves of COVID-19. These measures have already been shown to be ineffective. And it only increases the hardships of millions of people. Vaccines offer a long-term solution. Meanwhile, screening tests are the best solution to stop the spread of the virus and begin economic recovery. How much more anguish do people have to go through (job loss, stress, etc) before governments understand it? "Said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO.

For her part Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC has stated: "After months of forced quarantines after the trip, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that it works. Even the government's own figures show that quarantines have not proven to be effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19. "

“WTTC believes that the only way to jumpstart international travel is by introducing an internationally recognized testing scheme on arrival and departure in bulk. This would prevent the export of the virus and allow the free movement of travelers, respecting common sense hygiene protocols, such as the use of masks and social distancing, "said the official.

“Our latest research supports this and shows that there is definitely hope on the horizon for the global travel and tourism sector in the coming year, with the possible recovery of up to 111 million jobs. This projected result will be a great relief and will be welcomed as the beginning of the long-awaited recovery, for a sector that for so long has suffered the brunt of enormously damaging travel restrictions, "Guevara commented.

“We cannot rely solely on a solution and the launch of vaccines to restart international travel; exit testing will continue to be critical to reestablishing travel while respecting safe protocols and regaining as many jobs as possible in Travel & Tourism, and across the economy in general, "concluded the executive.

Beyond projections, what is not yet known is what the theater of operations will be like with which the tourism industry will be able to fight to recover, that is, what connectivity we will have in 2022 and, above all, what infrastructure will remain standing. The hotel market has been suffering minute by minute property closures, some of them legendary, there may even be mergers and glittering purchases. The cruises are not sailing yet, and while there have been countless announcements about fleet renewals and new routes, we can only be certain when they are already operating. To this must be added many other important actors such as receptors and attractions, their permanence also depends on having a profitable business and above all of excellence.




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