Travel Talk: Is Travel Fully Back?

Image: Travel Talk video series (Northstar Travel Group)
Image: Travel Talk video series (Northstar Travel Group)
TravelPulse Staff
by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 12:00 AM ET, Tue March 7, 2023

While most sectors of the travel industry are enjoying a resurgence compared to the depths of the pandemic, is it accurate to say travel is "fully back"?

Northstar Travel Group's editorial leaders share their answers to this question - and what it even means for their sectors (including business travel, leisure, sports and meetings) to have fully rebounded.

Answers vary, whether one is looking at supplier/advisor revenue, trip volume, hotel occupancy or some other metric. But thanks to the wide adoption of virtual meetings and interactions, some aspects of the travel industry look unlikely to ever return to their pre-pandemic levels.

The panelists also share how recent rounds of layoffs and concerns about a potential recession might impact travel companies and choices around booking.

The Northstar thought leaders include:

- Mary Pat Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Northstar Travel Group, and the panel's moderator

- Rebecca Tobin, Managing Editor, Travel Weekly

- Eric Bowman, Executive Editor, TravelPulse

- Kenneth Shapiro, Publisher/Editor in Chief, TravelAge West

- Jason Gewirtz, Vice President, Sports Division, Northstar Meetings Group; Executive Editor and Publisher, SportsTravel

- Elizabeth West, Editorial Director, BTN Group

- Loren Edelstein, Vice President, Content Director, Northstar Meetings Group

- Mitra Sorrells, Editor in Chief, PhocusWire

Watch the video above to learn whether travel is fully back.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Journey to HawaiiWednesday, September 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 as we take a virtual journey to the islands of Hawaii....
Upcoming Webinar
The Return of Grand VoyagesThursday, October 1, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
As luxury travelers seek deeper, more immersive ways to explore the world, demand for extended voyages...
Upcoming Webinar
Who is Exoticca and bucket list destinationsFriday, October 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover the world of Exoticca and see why extraordinary travel doesn’t have to come with an...
Upcoming Webinar
Journey to HawaiiWednesday, September 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 as we take a virtual journey to the islands of Hawaii....
Upcoming Webinar
The Return of Grand VoyagesThursday, October 1, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
As luxury travelers seek deeper, more immersive ways to explore the world, demand for extended voyages...
Upcoming Webinar
Who is Exoticca and bucket list destinationsFriday, October 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover the world of Exoticca and see why extraordinary travel doesn’t have to come with an...