A reservation is a process of booking and blocking rooms, tables or, according to the Cambridge dictionary, an arrangement to have something kept for a person or for a special purpose in advance for the guests or tourists. When we refer to hotel rooms or a place arranged for the tourist to stay the right term we use is accommodations. Accommodation is one of the basic needs of any tourism activity since tourists need a place to rest after their activities on a tour.
However, in 2020 the coronavirus (SARS-CoV 19) pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the tourism industry and its economy. The impact of COVID-19 on global tourism has been overwhelming and immediate, taking into account it has resulted in the closure of tourism sites and attractions, the cancellation or postponement of major festivals and events, and restrictions on public gatherings (indoor and outdoor) in many countries, making it impossible to offer a reservation for any group of guests or tourists. The global hospitality industry will be hard hit all through 2020 and beyond, even if the spread of the virus is brought under control. Tourism businesses were among the first to be shut down after the knowledge of the virus, as the travel industry necessarily involves people interacting with each other and requires the transfer of individuals going from their place of usual residence to destinations within their own country, and other countries.
On the other hand, hotels will have to progressively adapt to face new normality to be able to offer accommodations and complimentary services again. This is expected to be a gradual and non-linear process, as countries are looking for a gradual return to daily life while facing and containing the virus, and it is not yet clear when a full return to tourism activities will be possible. For example, sanitization will be of utmost importance, accommodations perceived as cleaner and more isolated will be likely preferred by tourists. Some suggest that traditional hotel properties may operate more like private villas, selling entire floors staffed. Hotel rooms may also sit empty for several days and be completely disinfected before a new guest can check-in as part of this new process.
Developed in collaboration with clinical specialists and a wide exhibit of movement organizations and associations, “Travel in the New Normal” describes the types of vigorous measures the U.S. travel industry will need to adopt to reduce the risk of COVID-19: Adjust activities, modify worker practices, and redesign common spaces to help ensure employees and tourists. Implement touchless solutions, execute upgraded sterilization methods to battle the transmission of COVID-19. Promote health screening measures for employees and isolate workers with possible symptoms. And lastly, follow best practices in food and beverage service to promote employee and customer health.
Opening up the tourism and hospitality industry is going to be more difficult than shutting it down since tourism flows are also a potential vector for spreading the virus. Businesses have realized that much will need to be done to restore travellers confidence, and at the same time, extra steps will have to be taken to protect workers who are at the front line in delivering tourism services.