HOTELS, TOURISM AND LEISURE Tulip Residences, from France’s Louvre group
Better apart? After a second summer of restricted travel, hotel owners and operators are daring to look to the future. And there are reasons for optimism, writes Chris Bown — the sector is emerging from the pandemic stronger, more flexible and better prepared for a changed world of travel and accommodation
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S COVID-19 spread around the world in early 2020, most travel markets saw a precipitous drop in business as governments acted to restrict the spread of the virus. Today, however, there are brighter signs. China, the market first affected by the pandemic, is racing back to levels of business previously seen in 2019, giving hotel owners, operators and investors confidence in the future. MIPIM ONE BOOK
Adding to that confidence is polling showing a strong desire from consumers to resume travelling just as soon as their governments allow them to do so. There is also increasing evidence that business travellers, too, are fed up with connecting via Zoom and Teams and are eager to return to face-to-face meetings. “We know there’s a huge pent-up demand for travel across the globe — and the key to opening up markets is having 63
SEPTEMBER 2021
