Why the Indian hospitality industry will see a strong recovery after the coronavirus crisis ends?

Saagar Panchal Aug 05, 2020

The hospitality industry in India contributes to approximately 10 per cent of the GDP. Prior to the global pandemic beat, the industry was one of the key portions driving the growth services sector in the Indian economy. While the coronavirus crisis and the resultant global lockdown carried things to a halt for a while, the hospitality industry is assessing the situation and reinventing themselves to effectively revive the sector in the ‘new normal’ post crisis world.

There have been many anticipations and models but strangely with different statistics and the modeling has even proven wrong in many cases especially in India. Thus, knowing the exact span of the hit has been impossible. But, there is no doubt in saying that, as soon as the coronavirus crisis ends, the hospitality industry will return to an altered landscape, with more love and inclination.

With everyone awaiting the return of normal times, a strong recovery after Covid-19 is just like a hanging fruit waiting to ripen. The earth’s population will compose its own chapter in the history books. Though, how rapidly we adjust strategies without jeopardizing our future is the billion dollar question.

The recovery could be very strong, particularly on the domestic fore. However, to recover international travel may take a long time, some even estimate it to only revive by January 2021, But the Indian market is highly influenced by domestic affairs and we think that is crucial for industry in this financial year. The central and state governments of India are also planning to promote state tourism, since domestic travel will see a surge prior to international travel.

Industry’s leaders anticipate that when the storm passes, the hospitality domain will see a sprint of transformation, creativity and new normal lasting change in consumer behaviour. Hence, the hospitality industry should take steps in the direction of creating safe vacation spaces for our guests.

In order to ensure safe distancing, the industry will have to make arrangements for long stays at the private villas and apartments. To mitigate the effects of covid, it can also practice a cool down period between occupancies.

Rental villas have to also enhance their cancellation policy, making it more flexible for all bookings, and thus empowering our customers. Apart from this, for their guest’s safety and wellbeing, all properties must have doctors on call facilities to attend the guests timely if such a need arises. There also should be a task force that duly understands the seriousness of medical issues and is trained to take preventive actions in such cases.

Hospitality industry also needs to introduce Electrostatic Disinfection Technology through which all the major touchpoints and surfaces can be sanitized. In the wake of recent events of this pandemic, it is in best of the guests and staff's interests to use this technology for all cleaning purposes thus defying any chances of any kind of contamination for our guests.

With COVID at its prime in most of the countries and a second wave expected in others, travellers have been reluctant to move to transient places away from their permanent stays. But the demand of relaxing at nearby destinations persists. With these circumstances in mind, private luxury villas should aim to broaden our target audience by promoting ‘staycation’.

With movement restrictions in place, the property owners have been unable to upkeep their properties from distance. For others, facing multiple vendors for maintenance while everyone is looking to maintain a safe distance has been a big concern. To aid the property owners in taking a safer stance, the service providers will have to introduce new services also that help the owners in maintaining and sanitizing their properties.

The pandemic has taught us the significance of business agility, collaboration, disaster preparedness and compassion. Businesses are back to the point where it all began, finding creative approaches to cut costs, work with lesser resources, manage unknown risks, strike a healthy work life balance, have meaningful guest engagements and brace ourselves for the ‘new normal.

The hospitality industry has gone through many crises before and recovered. The truth is the pandemic is temporary and shall pass and the industry is bracing itself for the new changes that will be seen once the lockdown is completely lifted.