If you are interested in the travel news, then this travel blog is especially for you. Here you will find a short sum-up of an interview with Mrs. Zydre Gaveliene, president of the Lithuanian National Tourism Business Association (NTVA) and Managing Director of Estravel Vilnius UAB, and Dimitri Laspas – founder of MICE and TOURISM around the World e-Magazine. Mrs. Gaveliene will tell her insights of reflects on the recent days and experiences during the pandemic crises and the progress through it. In addition, her opinion and expertise on how the industry of travel, tourism, and M.I.C.E will be in the future and what she believes need to be done to overcome the unprecedented situation that humanity and businesses face.
Life after a global pandemic
According to Z. Gaveliene, there are some uncertainties about the future. “I sincerely believe that there will be a tremendous need for highly professional people in the travel business worldwide in the long term. But as well I do understand that in a short time, there is a challenge to maintain the same amount of jobs.” – says Zydre.
Also, Zydre says that the second big challenge is the cooperation of business organizations, and the government is not efficient, at least in our part of the world. “Only through the successful partnership of private businesses and the public sector can there be developments of attractive meetings and tourism destinations. In light of the pandemic situation, travelers’ confidence in travel agents reached new heights. Reality shows that the travel management companies handled the travel rebookings most professionally. TMC helped not only to their clients but to the travelers who used to book all the travel services by themselves. One-third of the whole Lithuanian population lives abroad, and closing the borders within a week was challenging.” – says Zydre.
Pandemic impact on the global tourism/MICE jobs market
Travel expert Z. Gaveliene thinks that in the short term there will not be needed 40% of jobs in the travel industry, but at the same time, she says that only companies/destinations/countries who are the most flexible will. “In my life, it is not the first crisis, but I understood how travel is essential nowadays. It was usual for us to take a flight and visit the customer, celebrate Christmas with beloved ones in an exotic destination, go to an incentive trip all colleagues, or weekend trips to another EU country visit a brother or a kid.” – says Zydre.
Also, Zydre strongly believes that despite many pessimistic forecasts, the tourism industry will recover sooner or later. “The recovery depends on public organizations and private business partnerships even at the EU level. Tourism needs a clear recovery roadmap and investments now.” – claims Zydre.
Estravel GM for everybody reminds that the travel industry employs 10 % of the worldwide population, and till the pandemic situation, it was only growing. “No surprise, that travel is the best incentive or bonus for many people. We travel for personal reasons to widen our horizons. As well we go for business as it is so vital to have a professional community and grow together. People make a difference in every aspect of our lives, and to be the most professional, you need the right contacts and experience, which is impossible without traveling.” – says Zydre.
Mass tourism effect to tourism and travel economies
Zydre Gaveliene believes that cheap mass traveling will be sustainable in the long term. “We already experience that the first hotels to open in holiday destinations are the high quality. In the short term, travelers will choose the safest and healthiest destinations, hotels, and airlines. To maintain healthy destinations, we need extra investments. When Corona’s situation is solved, we will come back to sustainability priority again. For sure, we will enjoy traveling much more after a very closed quarantine regime. Now travelers are questioning when we will have the same choice of travel deals, flights, and meeting options.” – says Zydre.
According to Z. Gaveliene Baltic countries’ citizens are lucky to have a very mild pandemic impact, and she believes in a shorter term of recovery of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia tourism industry. “Our Baltic travel bubble was very well accepted worldwide. Starting from the first of June, travelers are welcome to Lithuania and the other Baltic States without self-isolation requirements. As well we see the positive effect of lockdown. Destination marketers are becoming much more creative now. My hometown Vilnius spread great news around the world. Beginning of May, Vilnius’ old town became one big open space restaurant. In the middle of May, the travelers were invited to travel the Mask fashion week route. Starting from April Drive-In movie theatre landed in Vilnius International Airport.” – Zydre shares her insights.
The future of traveling between countries
Travel expert Z.Gaveliene thinks that when all borders will be open, there will be no chance to control the number of passengers. “There are so many ways to travel, and smart travel professionals will find the best ways to travel for their clients. In the lockdown, we realized how important tourism is to our economies. Everyone needs to be strong health-wise and financially.” – says Zydre.
To sum up Z.Gaveliene believes that in the future traveling as well as travel exhibitions and MICE events will transform a lot. In the new reality, it will be much more important to create value not only for travelers but also for MICE delegates. Without technologies, it will be mostly impossible and the winner will be the company that finds out how to combine technologies in the most effective way and beauty of the destination.
Full interview of Estravel GM Zydre Gaveliene can be found in the monthly release of global e-magazine “MICE & TOURISM Around the World” which is for M.I.C.E., tourism, business travel, exhibitions, luxury travel & aviation.