TravelAbility Report: March 2019

Here’s a little something to brighten your week. Predictions on the future of travel, both optimistic and realistic (and, of course, deep-cleaned!) from the TravelAbility community:

It Will Be All About the Deep Clean—and Proving It!  The way I believe it will unfold is with an initial reluctance on the part of the consumer to travel for fear of being safe from either catching the virus or spreading it.  The challenge will be how hotels communicate the cleanliness protocols they are putting in place without scaring people off.  In order to get people’s attention, the GM of a hotel may be able to cut through the clutter by using humor. Perhaps proclaiming that they’ve done a personal inspection and now their hotel is so clean you can eat off the floor.  And to prove it, will have someone video him as he enjoys an un-plated bacon and egg breakfast from the lobby floor.—Name withheld by request

This Will Be A Rebuilding Period We think travel will rebound and since there has been strong growth in the movement over the past decade…we believe that in no way will a few months of this stop travel. However, we do understand there will be a rebuilding period, but we will not lose our seat at the table.—Eric Lipp, Open Doors Organization

Demand For RV’s Will Rise My sense from listening to some people in the disability community is that there is definitely trepidation towards getting on a plane or cruise any time in the near future. I think we will see more people traveling by vehicle and there will be a demand for accessible RVs. Also, I believe that National & State Parks will see an increase in visitor’s because people can more easily keep their distance from others and during the lockdown, more people discovered the joys of being out in nature and will seek it out more.—Bonnie Lewkowicz, former travel agent and accessibility trainer

Opting for Optimism As somebody who travels 50% of my time, I will celebrate the first flight as soon as it is safe. When we were first locked down, I canceled six flights and I have not booked any new ones including two trips to Europe that were on my schedule. I definitely feel pangs of pent-up travel requirements for both business and personal needs. I choose to be optimistic and think that the airlines and hotels are going to be so vigilant in there cleaning that things will be even better than before this mess. I will be extra loyal to the companies which have shown compassion to their customers and to their staff. —Mike May, Head Evangelist, Access Explorer

Making Trust Priority #1 Airports will conduct temperature checks at all TSA checkpoints to restore confidence in the safety of air travel and there will be widespread testing cruise ports. I think you’ll see something similar in hotel rooms that you see in airport bathrooms: a clipboard hanging from the door with the time and initials of the last person that cleaned—or deep cleaned. Airlines may institute distance protocols by blocking center seats—or selling only center seats. Destinations will busy forming cooperative advertising programs selling packages at outlandishly low prices to lure the least paranoid consumers.  In order to generate cash flow, hotels will offer flash sales where consumers can pre-buy up to X number of room nights at 4-star hotels at a 2-star price with the flexibility to use the rooms anytime within a 12 month period. Groupon, a dead horse, will make a comeback. —Jake Steinman, founder, TravelAbility Summit

The Great Outdoors Will Be Looking Even Greater I think there will be a gradual opening of the travel market and visitors will look for drive markets and small rural getaways. I think disability travel will return but maybe at a slower pace. Outdoor destinations with camping, hiking, biking and water activities will be at the top of the list.— Mary Kay Vrba, CEO, Dutchess County Tourism, NY

Knowledge Will Equal Power Destination will have highly trained and knowledgeable staff and there will also be a shift towards transparency in cleanliness and health. In general, I think the travel market will bounce back but it will look a lot different in the future.  —Myron Pincomb, chairman, IBCCES

Cleanliness Education Will Help Mitigate Risk Disabled travelers are eager to reengage with the world and I anticipate a resurgence in demand as the public health situation stabilizes. In this new chapter, the disability community will seek out vacation destinations that prioritize accessibility and work to educate businesses and travel providers on cleanliness and risk mitigation. Destinations that use this time to develop accessibility guides and information for disabled travelers will be better positioned to attract the fastest-growing segment of travelers.—John Morris, CEO, WheelchairTravel.com

Home Rentals Will Be Preferred Over Hotels We predict there will be a larger emphasis on outdoor, open-air attractions and destinations as social distancing phases out slowly. Also, private, stand-alone accommodations and entire home rental will be preferred over hotels.” —Lisa Burns, executive director, Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council of New York

Free and Easy Escapes Will Rule We anticipate that drive markets and Fort Worth’s free activities will be big parts of the destination’s story when people are ready to travel. We’re a great value for people who need an easy escape.” — Mitch Whitten, executive VP, marketing and strategy, Visit Fort Worth

Trips Down Memory Lane Will Have New Appeal  …Following this long period of social distancing, we’ll find many people revisiting the places and experiences that fill them with joy. However, after being cooped up, people will start to put plans in place for destinations that have always been on their bucket list, and they may even be more apt to try adventure-filled experiences with their renewed sense of freedom. We’re preparing for the many ways travelers may choose to travel moving forward – and are putting our efforts and initiatives together that beckon them back.” —Mary Quinn Ramer, president, VisitLEX 

See more prediction in this Forbes.com post. For our specials on COVID-19 planning, find them here.