Most agency and airline executives who responded to a poll said they believe that trips will be back to pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Another third said that they think this will occur in 2025 or later.
It was funded by Sabre, a top software and technology provider, and conducted by the Munich-based management firm Dr Fried & Partners. The study combined qualitative and quantitative research that involved 500+ decision makers from travel and airline companies. The respondents were interviewed in eight languages across 20 countries within EMEA, APAC and the Americas and APAC, and in-depth interviews with industry leaders.
Participants were asked questions about the effect of the pandemic on their customers and business and what the consequences could be to the industry’s future. The key findings highlight the divergent priorities of agencies and airlines in their respective efforts to take advantage of potential recovery opportunities and generate new opportunities to expand and grow and the different preferences for investment in technology for global regions.
The results include:
The results of the survey suggest the notion that “revenge travel” – to compensate for the time lost – is a natural phenomenon, and 68% of travel managers reported that they anticipate more spending from customers in their travel plans for the future;
- Travelers’ leaders say that travellers are considering more factors before making a decision;
- 82% of the airline executives polled said that they anticipate the mix of leisure and business to be more prominent following recovery;
- Nearly half of the surveyed agencies stated that they spend more time now researching new services, tools and technologies. This is a specific aspect of attention in APAC which accounts for 71% of the agencies that responded;
- 92% of the travel agencies surveyed stated that they need the help of technology partners in travel for a smoother experience for customers in terms of booking or booking, as well as fulfilment, and 89% of respondents said they would like efficient tools to customize the experience of travelling;
- A majority of the airlines polled said they would like more significant opportunities to expand their expansion opportunities as well as improved customer service and satisfaction ratings
Some of the key trends identified by survey agencies in the latest Sabre-Dr.The fried study includes the importance of well-organized and connected trips to ease the travel challenges for customers. The increasing importance of regional and domestic travel and the difficulties (and opportunities) in the field of businesses to recover from their trip.
The study covers diverse areas of focus for agencies and airlines, both of which are trying to capitalize on opportunities for recovery and future growth.
For the airlines that participated in the survey, the significant patterns identified are increased customer booking protection and the growing popularity of “bleisure” as a catalyst to help companies recover from travel and provide more sustainable options for flights to satisfy customer needs.
In line with agency responses, The survey shows that the industry is focusing on increasing regional and domestic routes and how new product designs like connected and organized trips could help improve recovery possibilities and deliver more personal experiences for travellers.
These findings were discussed during an open discussion led by Sabre at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai to discuss a brand new global study on travel, “Mapping Travel’s New Normal, that examines the significant shifts in the world of travel.
“Our latest Sabre research has highlighted a degree of optimism across the travel ecosystem,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, Vice President, Sabre Travel Network Middle East.
“However it is also clear that not all the leaders of travel are prepared for these possible changes when they are implemented in a short time. The study suggests the need for flexibility, transformation and collaboration to ensure that airlines, travel agencies and other players in the industry are in a position to recognize these changes, plan for potential growth opportunities in the future, and ultimately improve the experience of the customer.”
“One thing that struck us as we carried out the research was the unprecedented pace of change in the past few months,” said Frank Trampert, Senior Vice President and Global Managing Director at Sabre Hospitality.
“The overall improvement of the hospitality industry across all geographic regions of the world is particularly encouraging with notable growth in business and international travel. While leisure and domestic travel continue to be the most popular mode of travel, Corporate travel is closing the gap, and hotels are profiting from the “leisure” growing trend.”
