What does the COVID-19 vaccine mean for the travel and hospitality sectors?

The COVID-19 vaccine, which was first distributed in December 2020, offers renewed hope that life, at some point, will get back to normal. However, with vaccine programs expected to take most of the year to roll out, what impact will this have on the travel and hospitality sectors in 2021?

What the vaccine means for holidays

European countries such as Spain and Italy, which are popular holiday spots for Brits, have outlined their plans for mass vaccination. Spain hopes to vaccinate 1/4 of its population in the first three months of 2021, while Italy believes the majority of its citizens will get the vaccine by September. Vaccinations have also begun in Canada and the US, which are other popular destinations for holidays overseas.

However, this doesn’t mean restrictions on travelling abroad will be lifted quickly. While the vaccine will make travelling easier, it’s likely that some countries will require proof of vaccination before visitors can board a plane. New Zealand and Australia, in particular, are likely to introduce this measure. Both countries have worked hard to eradicate coronavirus from their populations, and the New Zealand government is reportedly already looking at ways to implement proof of vaccination for visitors.

Even where proof of vaccination isn’t required, anybody who travels abroad before being offered a vaccine will likely have to provide a negative Covid-19 test.

The alternative: staycations

For all the reasons outlined above, it’s unlikely travelling abroad will be normal during 2021. As such, it seems more Brits are looking to holiday in the UK, which could provide a much-needed boost for our hospitality and travel industries.

In fact, according to holidaycottages.co.uk, 4 in 5 Brits (84%) are reportedly planning a 2021 staycation, with the top ten destinations including Cornwall, Edinburgh and the Lake District.

1. Cornwall (48%)
2. Scottish Highlands (43%)
3. Devon (43%)
4. Cumbria/Lake District (41%)
5. Yorkshire Dales (35%)
6. Edinburgh (34%)
7. Peak District (32%)
8. Snowdonia (32%)
9. The Cotswolds (31%)
10. Dorset (30%)

The Digital PR Manager at holidaycottages.co.uk, Shannon Keary, said: “The past year has certainly impacted our international travel plans, and it doesn’t seem to be looking up in 2021 with the EU travel ban post-Brexit. However, this past year has allowed more people than ever before to see the beauty of their own country, and that can only be a good thing for UK domestic travel. The UK has so much to offer in terms of holidays and beauty spots, and it’s encouraging to see that 84% of Brits are considering a staycation in 2021."

If the predictions are correct, are you ready for the staycation boom this summer? Contact us at JW Recruitment for more advice and tips.