Deep Bhong, director of Travind Institute in India, believes that the travel and tourism faternity needs to embrace competitors, training opportunities and responsible practices, among other things, to rise above the current crisis.
The Covid-19 outbreak has led to a global economy crisis. Instead of wallowing in despair, travel and tourism businesses should adopt a different – and open – mindset to help find better ways to grow and be ready for the rebound when it happens. Here are five things you could do:
Focus on strategies
A business slowdown is rare in the hospitality industry, as it is kept busy year-round fulfilling the promise that the customer is king. The current business climate presents an opportunity for travel and tourism business leaders to recollect, re-structure and re-frame their strategies, so as to bring about a stronger recovery when the time is ripe.
Knowledge is power
Take advantage of the downtime to upskill your team in various subjects, such as crisis and disaster management, and to conduct stress management courses. This not only improves their employability, it is keeps them engaged and motivated.
Expand your line
When business is brisk, the focus in largely on perfecting the delivery of core products and service. Use this opportunity to sharpen your secondary products and service. To do this, you need to understand the unique traits and special offerings of your organisation, and build on them. Don’t forget to invest in product training so that your staff have the confidence in delivering a new line.
A new look at competition and partnerships
Unity and healthy competition is more important than ever, and this isn’t the time for undercutting practices. Businesses should identify ways to work together to leverage business opportunities. Consider joint ventures on new initiatives that can strengthen your position when travel confidence returns.
Build sustainable power
In your fight for survival, don’t forget your responsible tourism promise to make better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit. Consider hosting webinars to share your sustainable tourism projects and best practices with industry peers, or join such programmes to learn a new approach or two
