How the Travel Industry Adapted and Changed Throughout 2020

Before the coronavirus pandemic shook the world to its core in March, the travel industry was preparing for another record-breaking year and the continued rise of travel to unprecedented heights.

Then COVID-19 changed everything. As a result, the entire industry has been forced to change how it approaches travel, and tourists are altering how they view hitting the road or taking to the skies.

While there is no discounting the impact of the ongoing pandemic, the industry has shown its resilience in the past and has adapted to the ever-changing rules and regulations associated with traveling during such a difficult time.

Here is how the travel industry changed and adapted to COVID-19 in 2020.

One of the first major rule changes travelers experienced due to COVID-10 was the addition of mandatory facial coverings. From airplanes to hotels, the tourism industry immediately called on all visitors to wear masks at all times.

While there were many people who decided not wearing a mask was worth getting thrown off their flight or having their pictures at Disney World altered, people still managed to explore the United States this year while using their masks to feel safer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been a trusted source throughout the pandemic, and one of the major guidelines to curbing coronavirus has been social distancing. The travel industry has fully embraced this concept.

Hotels and theme parks have started posting signage reminding people to stay six-feet apart and lines have been revamped to show guests exactly where to stand to maintain proper distancing. Resorts are spreading groups out on beaches and limiting seating capacity at restaurants.

Another huge hurdle travel had to overcome in 2020 was the mandatory quarantine orders still in place in many countries and regions. While negative COVID-19 tests have helped alleviate the concerns, many travelers are still being asked to shelter in place for 14 days when they reach their destination to avoid the transmission of the virus.

Many states in the U.S. still require travelers arriving from states with a high rate of COVID-19 cases quarantine, but the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has remained adamant that country-wide border closures and blanket travel restrictions could derail the industry's recovery, stalling global economic growth.

As a result of countries shutting down their borders and restricting travel, the cruise industry has been effectively shut down since March. From multiple COVID-19 outbreaks onboard ships in February to the CDC's monthly extension of its No-Sail Order, the industry has felt the full economic wrath of the coronavirus.

Cruise companies did not sit idly by, though, as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line joined forces in July to develop the Healthy Sail Panel. The group continues to craft a new set of standards for cruise ships in the time of coronavirus.

Despite months of uncertainty, the cruise industry received a boost of confidence in October when the CDC announced a conditional, phased-in return to cruising. The CLIA confirmed its members would extend the voluntary suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. through December 31 to focus on meeting the conditions set forth by the CDC.

Cruise lines have seen a rise in bookings for 2021 and beyond and volunteers are lining up for test cruises, showing industry officials the worst is likely behind it. Add in success on the vaccine front, and the cruise lines are excited about the future.

Travelers still wanted to explore during the pandemic, and one way to allow travelers to skip the mandatory quarantines was to undergo testing for coronavirus. A negative result would allow visitors to enter an area without the typical waiting period.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that coronavirus tests should be used more often during international travel instead of mandatory quarantines. As a result, airlines are now offering COVID-19 tests before flights to areas that require a negative result.

Early in the pandemic, some destinations dependent on tourism tried to lure travelers back by offering them compensation if they caught coronavirus during their stay. Cyprus previously announced it would cover lodging, food, drink and medication, as well as hospitalization if deemed necessary.

As part of the effort made by airlines to make passengers feel uncomfortable onboard, many carriers blocked middles seats to ensure the most distance between travelers. While many airlines have already abandoned the plan, Delta continues to block middle seats and limit capacity through March 30, 2021.

Hotels and airlines that still operated throughout the pandemic took their health and safety guidelines very seriously. To ensure all requirements were met, many hired hygiene officers that were in charge of implementing, enforcing and improving the safety of guests and employees.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released the "Safe Stay Guest Checklist" to standardize the safety experience for guests, which includes requiring face coverings in indoor public spaces, social distancing practices in common areas, an emphasis on contactless options where available, intensified room cleanings and more.

A recent poll found that cleanliness and hygiene ranked highest among their considerations when determining their travel choices, surpassing cost and all other factors.

With limits on capacity and social distancing, tour operators have been forced to find creative ways to stay in business. To entice travelers, companies are offering private tour packages for small groups or families, allowing them to create a travel bubble of safety for customers.

To help clean hotel rooms, airplanes and other common areas frequented by travelers, companies implemented electrostatic spraying of liquid disinfectant. The sprayers cover areas that employees and customers frequently touch with disinfectant that kills the COVID-19 virus.

It's hard to imagine light killing germs, but the Ultraviolet C (UVC) lighting technology implemented by companies throughout the tourism industry during the pandemic does just that. The light machines kill viruses on high-touch areas, with companies like United Airlines using the technology on sensitive switches and touch screen displays within the flight deck.

As the pandemic was ramping up, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced changes to the security screening process to prevent cross-contamination at the checkpoints between employees and travelers.

Travelers are being asked to scan their own boarding passes, separate food for X-ray screening, pack carefully to avoid slowing down the screening process, practice social distancing and wear facial protection.

In addition to added mask requirements and social distancing guidelines, the facilities have added virtual queues to avoid unsafe spacing in a long line. Instead, guests are asked to wait elsewhere and are being notified on their phones when it's their turn for a ride.

In addition to the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) unveiling new health and safety guidelines, tour operators have added new domestic itineraries to help travelers get out of the house and explore the U.S. safely.

If you've gone out at any point during the current pandemic, you see plexiglass barriers at almost every cash register and information desk in airports, hotels, casinos and more. The barrier is used to protect both the travelers and the employees from the water droplets inadvertently spit from the mouth that could transmit coronavirus.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels, airlines and car rental companies were introducing touchless technologies to create a seamless guest experience, but the pandemic has brought a whole new meaning to the work. Carriers like American Airlines introduced a new touchless check-in experience allowing travelers to reach their gate without having to make contact with the kiosk screen.

Early in the COVID-19 outbreak, the TSA and CDC implemented temperature screening guidelines for passengers and employees. Airlines for America supported the decision and said all passengers who couldn't board their flight due to a fever would receive a full refund.

People who need to travel during the pandemic are looking for reassurance of cleanliness, so companies are sealing rooms, rental cars and amenities kits to ensure safety. Hertz introduced its Gold Standard Clean, an enhanced sanitization process that concludes with each vehicle being sealed and certified before each rental.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led destinations and hospitality providers to implement creative solutions, including extended stays for people who are able to work remotely. Whether it's modern study-abroad concepts for remote-working young professionals or allowing travelers to stay longer if they work and learn while there, destinations have worked tirelessly to stay afloat.

After one of the worst years in travel history, 2020 is ending with good news about the successful tests and launch of a COVID-19 vaccine. Now, travel brands are hopeful the vaccination of travelers will help cruising resume and allow people to get back to their normal lives.

It will take time, but let's hope the vaccine news to end the year is a sign of things to come.