I would like to start on an optimistic assumption that this pandemic would come to an end sooner than later. Having said that, I don’t think the repercussion caused by the pandemic won’t stop to haunt us for next few years if not decades.
There is no denying that the tourism & hospitality industry is most adversely impacted by the current situation. But what’s more disturbing is striking gap that is being created among the service providers.
The organized players seems to be sustaining themselves with cost cutting measures & switching to temporary alternate services. Its the best time for them to engage with their future customers & gain new user base. Moreover, many are undertaking advance bookings, keeping their cash flow running. On the contrary, the unorganized players, most of whom are small independent self-run individuals or business are facing an existential crisis. Many have already shut shop & taken up something else to earn their livelihood.
Tourism sector was predominantly run by the unorganized providers. But the situation now gives the organized players an opportunity to capture the market that was earlier held by the unorganized providers. This sounds like a regular economic cycle but has the potential to adversely affect our future travel experiences.
Most of us travel to break out from our regular routines, which in most case is moving to tier 2/3 towns or to some remote places. With the growth of the organized players, the service would soon start to be consistent across geographies & eventually lose its local charm. This I feel is a big threat to the tourism industry as tourism is not only about the place but also about the roots & culture that gives the place its identity.
I hope this fear of mine do not ever materialize, and even if it does, I expect the local community to come together & figure out ways to retain their identity.
