Despite representing one in 10 jobs, according to the WTTC, the tourism industry typically does not get much of a look
Nearly half of the world’s population is expected to vote in this historic year of global elections, which will see voters in a record 64 countries, including the European Union.
According to a statement by Belvera Partners, a Spanish PR firm, these elections impact the travel industry just as much, which is buzzing with anticipation as many wonder what it could mean for their businesses.
Despite representing one in 10 jobs, according to the WTTC, the tourism industry typically does not get much of a look in as part of election campaign topics and promises.
Belvera Partners has listed what leaders from across the travel value chain have to say about what the new governments should consider doing when it comes to tourism.
Sami Doyle
Citing Sami Doyle, CEO of TMU Management, a data-driven insurance intermediary specialising in travel, the statement adds that there is an urgent need for consistent global legislation around package travel.
“We are hoping to see a concerted effort from parties to progress legislation that protects the rights of passengers and travel sellers, with a focus on the financial protection options available to them under respective package travel regulations,” says Doyle.
“Most holidaymakers are opting for package holidays, so safeguarding travellers in the event of cancellations or air carrier insolvency is at the top of the travel industry’s agenda. The travel industry is looking for clarity, consistency and harmonisation across borders in the legislative approach to financial protection,” he adds.
“This poses several challenges for travel companies, potentially introducing barriers to trade and providing a competitive advantage to one legislative region over another. The recent very sudden collapse of the giant FTI, Europe’s third biggest tour operator, only goes to show the importance of getting this right,” adds Doyle.
The statement adds that one topic that is featuring in debates from politicians is sustainability.
Martin Eade
For Martin Eade at Vibe, a provider of search and booking technology to online travel sellers, this as a golden opportunity to create standardised emissions calculations and reporting.
“What the travel industry needs is one standard, clear and consistent way of calculating emissions across transport and accommodation. Without this, how can we expect travellers to prioritise sustainability when they make bookings?” he says.
“Research from Booking.com recently revealed an appetite from travellers to book more sustainable travel. So, giving them clear and accurate sustainability information across booking sources will enable them to make informed choices and hold all sellers and suppliers accountable to the same standards, which right now they are not, even in at a country level like the UK, let alone globally,” Eade adds.
When it comes to the aviation space, Maxim Sevastianov from Trava, whose technology revolutionises post-booking processes for online travel sellers, highlights the challenges of airline disruptions.
Maxim Sevastianov
“Current regulations for airline refunds and rebookings are a confusing mess, not least because the United States doesn’t force airlines to refund or cover out of pocket costs in instances where the weather played a part in the delay, whereas the EU does,” Sevastianov says.
“Greater international coordination and consistency are needed to protect consumers and their travel agents when flights are cancelled or delayed, along with providing agreed frameworks for how to process claims or handle support during delays. We need to keep working to bring back consumer confidence in travel, it should be a priority for any government,” he adds.
One topic that does appear on the national news agenda, in tourism dependent countries at least, is ‘overtourism’ and within that again and again the topic of short term rentals (STRs) arises.
As such many are clamouring for a fairer regulatory landscape between hotels and STRs, the statement adds.
Adam Harris
“It is not fair to any industry to have jurisdictional change happening too frequently. Whether that is short-term rentals, a hotel campground, a hostel, or a multi-property hotel group, operators deserve transparency, a long-lasting set of standards, and a fair playing field. Our industry needs good policy and that policy needs to be there for a while,” says Adam Harris, CEO of Cloudbeds, a leading hospitality tech platform.
“With good policies that don’t change every six months, it means systems can adapt and create universal application, which means innovation can speed up to create a healthier industry and a happier guest. Right now, we are stuck. A lot of voters care about this, and we hope politicians take notice during this election cycle,” Harris adds.
