Five predictions for Pakistan’s tourism industry in 2022

Here are a few of the trends I see playing out in the hospitality industry over 2022 that will have the most impact…

Covid measures will ease – but not disappear (yet)

While we’re all sensing that the worst of Covid-19 is behind us due to vaccine rollouts and weaker variants such as Omicron, I foresee many health protocols staying in place. The hospitality industry has learned a lot in the past two years, so maintaining safety standards will not be an issue and will likely reassure guests that hotels are not resting on their laurels. It is not a case of a never-ending ‘new normal’, but don’t expect Covid measures to simply vanish overnight – it will be a gradual easing.

Tech powered travel will increase in importance

The role of?technology in global travel will undoubtfully continue to grow in importance?during 2022. From?digital vaccine passports to real-time travel notifications,?technology solutions will play a central role in keeping travellers informed and providing guidance for all travel decisions.

There will be lots more Pakistan hotel development

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is doing wonders for Pakistan's economy – and in turn is spurring hotel activity, which will likely soar in 2022. CPEC is a 2,000-mile trade route that links China's Xinjiang province with Gwadar in Pakistan's Balochistan province. China is investing a huge US $46 billion in CPEC, hoping it?leads to easier trade with the Middle East and Africa. Whenever an area gets an influx of economic activity and investment, travel and hotel development soon follow. That is what has already started happening and I see momentum building fast.

Travel apps will finally take off

It has taken a while, but mobile apps specialising in lodging and boarding, homestays for vacation rentals, and tourism activities are rising in popularity in Pakistan and listings on sites are going to increase significantly this year. A good example is Roomph, which has started to revolutionise the fragmented and legacy-driven budget hospitality space in Pakistan by enabling standardisation of services to make the travel experience better, consistent, and memorable.

There will be big growth in private short-term rentals

According to recent figures from AirDNA – a provider of data and analytics for the short-term rental industry – there has been huge growth in this segment in Pakistan. The company reports that in December 2021 there were 128% more listings available than in December 2019. After the economic challenges of the pandemic, short term rentals allow people to make decent side income – plus digital income is yet to be taxed in Pakistan so for now it’s tax free income.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339983/be-our-guest-a-new-era-for-pakistans-hospitality-industry

https://www.roomph.pk/