Over the last two years, COVID-19 has directed the course of economy in the tourism sector. As we approach the third year of the pandemic, we all wonder what is next due to its unpredictable nature.
The extensive rate of vaccination in 2021, the relaxation of restrictions and the EU’s Covid19 digital certificate, set a basis for the revival of tourism form the months of summer and autumn, but was soon cut short by the appearance of the new variant, Omicron, at the end of the year, which reinstalled mobility restrictions.
Despite all this, we are beginning to see hopeful signs of recovery in the sector, as shown by the recent agreement reached by the 27 member states of the European Union to stop requesting COVID-19 tests or imposing quarantines on vaccinated tourists.
According to the latest available data from the “European Tourism Trends & Prospects Q4/2021” report, they foresee a recovery, predicting that travel demand in 2022 will be only 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels, driven by domestic and intra-European trips. They believe that short-distance trips will be key to Europe’s recovery, especially destinations accessible by car from large issuing markets such as Germany.
The positive mindset of travellers will boost this recovery, as we are all looking forward to going back to normality and lost travel experiences, and proof of this is that “British citizens say they plan more holidays than usual in 2022 and will spend more money on holidays than ever before“, according to a recent survey by the airline EasyJet.
Airline forecasts are more conservative, with Eurocontrol expecting air traffic to recover to 70-90% of 2019’s levels this year. In addition to watching how the pandemic evolves, airlines have to deal with the current risks, which hinder its development, such as the sharp increase in fuel prices and supply shortage.
What is certain is that resuming travel between Europe and the United States after November 2021 and the resurgence of MICE tourism, which expects congresses to reach pre-pandemic figures, will help to boost this recovery, according to experts from CESAE Business & Tourism School.
2022 will be an essential year for tourism, marked by new alliances and mergers of tourism groups, creating stronger tour operators adjusting to this new environment. And with the measures carried out by the markets to promote the industry, fostering safe European tourist destinations that will enhance travellers’ trust. The European Union will continue its commitment to reactivate the sector (it represents 10% of its GDP) with specific measures and aid.
By Carolina Diez Hernando