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Operators Must Be Quick to Adapt to New Trends

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF EXCELENCIAS TRAVEL-TURIDOVE TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS HEADED IN 2022, SUSTAINABILITY, EXCLUSIVE AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, OPPORTUNITIES IN THE IBERO-AMERICAN REGION, AMONG OTHER TOPICS

TEXT: LEYANIS INFANTE CURBELO PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE INTERVIEWEE AND EXCELENCIAS ARCHIVES

After two years in which the travel industry has been strongly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, 2022 is considered a year of rebirth for the sector.

What trends could be marking this stage?

It is clear that 2022 is the year of the tourism renaissance, as it marks a turning point from what the industry has been until today. There are some very important trend changes in the markets and operators must be agile in picking up this trend.

The public is looking for other destinations and other accommodation and experience segments. In Spain

La tendencia empuja hacia la práctica de deportes en individual, hacia destinos verdes, destinos

saludables, destinos poco masificados y destinos exclusivos. Estos son los segmentos que

han crecido después de la

pandemia

during the whole of 2021 there was a boom in rural and alternative tourism, although the market is settling again with sun and beach for the summer, there is no doubt that this trend is here to stay and has spread around the globe.

We cannot forget a segment that has emerged as a result of the pandemic, which is the Health Tourism; the thermalism programs have shot up, especially those that have treatments for respiratory affections and to alleviate the sequels of covid.

How has the industry adapted?

In the tourism industry, we are used to fighting against all the inconveniences that may arise.

It is clear that this has forced us to make drastic changes, such as adopting new health measures for hotel and hospitality care, which made the sector assume a cost overrun in services.

The sector has become digitized and this is a trend not only for the commercial phase of the operation but for all the processes of a reservation. Multiple apps have emerged, from virtual menus in restaurants and hotels, digital services from the rooms, and countless digital tools for the industry.

From our company we consider this trend as something unstoppable and that is why we have made an effort to enter fully into this world.

What do you consider to be the segments and destinations that have more opportunities for growth at the moment?

The trend is towards individual sports, green destinations, healthy destinations, destinations with little overcrowding and exclusive destinations. These are the segments that have grown after the pandemic.

We also have to value other operational opportunities such as the inclusive and immersive segments,

The trend pushes towards the practice of sports in individuals, towards green destinations, healthy destinations, destinations with little overcrowding and exclusive destinations. These are the segments that have grown after the pandemic

which bring a social vision to the industry.

In our inclusive target, we are working on new products for the LGTBI public in Cuba, Yucatan (Mexico) and Spain. We are also working on socio-cultural immersion projects with the creation of routes through Mayan communities, hand in hand with the State Secretariat for Tourism Promotion of the State of Yucatan; and in Cuba, with farmers, observing the traditional cultivation of products such as tobacco, rum, sugar, coffee and cocoa.

In Spain, we are working on experiences to learn about the reality of primary sectors such as agriculture, fishing and shellfishing. We also want to put Spanish gastronomy in the place it deserves, promoting the country's wine and gastronomic routes, with wine as the driving force.

Traditional culture is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction and it is important that different operators support these projects as a means of economic development of the regions.

Could this be the moment in which concepts such as sustainability, responsibletourismandecofriendly are positioned as determining axes in the industry?

There is no doubt, more and more travelers are looking for sustainable destinations that are environmentally friendly. But in this sense we would have a lot to talk about. An ecofriendly or green destination is not a nature destination with large green jungles, but a destination that takes care of the environment and contains the use of plastics, CO2 emissions and takes care of the food served in its hospitality.

Un destino ecofriendly o verde no es un destino de naturaleza con grandes selvas verdes, sino un destino que cuide el medio y contenga el uso de plásticos y las emisiones de CO2 y cuide la alimentación que se sirve en su hostelería

Any destination can be ecofriendly. A clear example is many chains based in Cuba, which have eliminated plastics from their hotels or have invested in the production of clean energy.

Clearly, those industry players that identify themselves with green destinations, as well as destinations that advertise themselves as such, will be way ahead of the rest.

There is talk of "neo-luxury" as a growing trend focused on exclusive experiences...

Luxury and exclusivity are very important factors for the industry. It is curious how, at a time of economic and social crisis, exclusive hotels have increased in many tourist destinations around the world. As an example, we have the Caribbean, where high-end and exclusive accommodations have opened their doors. Both in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, several very select establishments have opened their doors. In addition, many 5-star establishments have increased the exclusivity of their facilities.

On the other hand, the difference between luxury and exclusivity is palpable. Something can be exclusive, but not necessarily luxurious, and that is what makes for very desirable destinations with exclusive services that suit many wallets.

Many people have been a bit traumatized during the pandemic, that is why they are looking for quiet and uncrowded environments, and they change their classic resorts for exclusive villas that give them security and privacy.

I don't know whether to define it as "neo-luxury", I would rather define it as exclusive and alternative.

An eco friendly or green destination is not a nature destination with large green jungles, but a destination that takes care of the environment and contains the use of plastics, CO2 emissions and takes care of the food served in its hotels

Sumario

es-es

2022-05-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://revistasexcelencias.pressreader.com/article/282862259458480

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