5 Ways the Luxury Travel and Hospitality Industries are Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis

Nowadays, traveling is a big no-no. Well, you certainly might feel like you shouldn’t be traveling anywhere during the COVID pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t organize yourself a luxurious escapade here and there. Even though any medical professional will tell you that the best thing you can do is to stay indoors, they would also agree that traveling is safe if you follow all the COVID prevention measures.

What’s more, it’s important to note that luxury travel and hotel industries are hard at work to make travel as safe as possible. By adhering to the essential COVID prevention rules and knowing how these industries are ensuring the safety of travelers, you can make your holiday stress-free and rewarding while traveling in style. Here’s what you need to know.

Hotels are doubling down on COVID prevention

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First and foremost, it’s important to note that luxury hotels around the world stand to lose a great deal if they try to ignore the COVID prevention guidelines. Not only would they lose the trust of their esteemed guests, but they would also receive an order from the governing bodies to close shop before the COVID prevention measures are met. This means a loss of business, but more importantly, it means that their brands might get irreparably damaged.

To prevent this from happening, luxury stays across the globe are investing and overinvesting in the protection against the coronavirus. From automated front desks to minimize human interaction, to cleaning and sanitization multiple times a day, all the way to daily housekeeping and regular linen changes – guests can rest assured that they are in safe hands.

Choosing alternative urban destinations

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Urban travel is not forbidden, and some countries even allow international travelers into their bustling urban hotspots under special circumstances. However, it’s interesting that luxury travelers are nowadays choosing alternative urban destinations to ensure safety against COVID-19, but also to experience those hidden urban gems scattered across the map. Who knows, maybe exploring alternative cities and towns will help you find the most weed-friendly destinations for the ultimate zen escapade.

For example, visiting Naples instead of Rome, or Nantes instead of Paris is a wonderful way to experience the culture of a country without putting yourself at high risk of contracting the virus. There are countless luxe experiences in almost any alternative urban destination in the world where there are fewer people and tourists, which is also perfect for a more intimate escapade.

Luxury travelers are yachting to the secluded destinations

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Another form of luxury travel that is currently booming around the world is a yachting and for several compelling reasons. Now that affluent travelers are looking for ways to escape the crowds and visit those secluded sun-laden spots around the world, yachting seems like the safest and most comfortable way to experience a sailing trip in style.

Wealthy travelers are increasingly investing in their own yachts, as finding motor yachts for sale has become more viable and affordable, especially because yachts are assets that allow plenty of freedom to explore the map at your own leisure. Exploring those nooks and crannies around islands and coasts around the world on a yacht is probably the most luxurious and safest way to travel during the pandemic.

Personal hygiene at hotels is a paramount

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Even though luxury hotels are doing all they can to keep the guests safe, the guests themselves must adhere to the COVID prevention measures. Hotel managers should incentivize staff to enforce strict hygiene policies around the hotel while incentivizing guests to wear masks, wash their hands throughout the day, and maintain their distance from other guests.

It’s important for every traveler and hotel guest to have their essential hygiene kits at their sides at all times, and to adhere to the rules of safe travel during the COVID pandemic. Making sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds at a time while refraining to touch your face beforehand will minimize the chances of catching the virus.

Focusing on local travel instead of going abroad

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Last but not least, it’s also important to note that luxury travel is no longer focused solely on international destinations, as nowadays local luxe travel is booming around the world. This should come as no surprise, as many countries have closed their borders to international travelers and grounded all flights in and out of the country.

For this reason, up-scale travelers need to find those luxe experiences and secluded stays within their borders. Luckily, this is the perfect opportunity for luxurious hotels and small stays to attract affluent guests and invest heavily in digital marketing to boost awareness and ensure bookings throughout the year.

Wrapping up

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed the way we travel and has forced leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to adapt their business models. While the pandemic is not expected to die out anytime soon, it’s safe to say that luxe travel is still alive and kicking with these preventative measures.