2020 — Where Did Travel Go?
It started as just a comical phrase I threw around with other folks working in the travel industry, then became a podcast, and now….I really don’t know where it went, just like Nate Robinson in the ring this weekend.
Where did travel go???
With the harsh reality of December ushering its way in tomorrow, I find it more and more hard to believe this year is almost over without a flicker of hope of the travel industry returning.
“Go To Travel” Campaign
Sure, Japan did a great job of trying to kick-start things here and for a while, it seemed to be working.
I did my fair share of traveling around the country from Osaka/Kyoto to Yamaguchi, Fukuoka, Shizuoka, Niigata, and even Ibaraki — I feasted on domestic travel opportunities both for personal trips as well as a few paid monitor tours. (Stories of these trips to come in the coming weeks)
But let’s be honest, with each trip also comes with it a bit of guilt, a sliver of risk, a handful of coupons, and lot of strange looks from locals at the places you visit.
While it is nice to enjoy walking through Fushimi Inari without the mobs of tourists which typically pollute this place, you can’t help but feel awkward walking into an empty food hall for dinner afterwards.
Now, I’m not sure if the chart to the left was trending in a healthy direction prior to this travel apocalypse, but let’s just take a moment of silence for that free fall…….
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Lord, tell me there is a silver-lining in all of this.
Insatiable Demand with Little Supply
In Economics 101, you learn that high demand with low supply typically equals higher prices. Right now, the travel industry is grappling this with same economic predicament, but only able to combat it with next-to-nothing travel deals.
Can the industry survive 1 more year of virtual travel experiences, flights to nowhere, and hotel rooms cheaper than a Starbucks coffee?
I’m willing to bet that more crazy offerings are to come and good on those who are innovating and making lemonade out of this mountain of lemons. I too will do my part to contribute to the innovations possible, but let’s hope, even at a grassroots level, 2021 gives the travel industry an opportunity to get back on its weary feet once again.
