Resurrection ?!?

There are signs of recovery here in Vienna – based on private travel initiatives though!

Our understanding is based on the idea that partly organized travel is only possible in segments of the “Far East” and “Central Europe” and on a national basis Canada, France, Italy, Spain . . . and a few countries open for regional travel – travelling even in the “US only” does not seem to be a great idea right now . . . so, we are aware of the fragility of the moment!

Sitting in the Heart of Europe we see – at least temporarily/locally – windows of opportunity!

Indications of recovery!?!?

As a provider of Boutique Walking/Art Tours here in Vienne we just recently encounter some recovery in demand – and – a change of landscape!

OTA’s are no help at this time – tested corporations, sometimes even professional friendships and personal recommendations are! We don’t have to change, but we better adapt!

Regional guests/travel:

·        As Central Europe is re-opening, we started to meet and guide “neighbors” and “locals/fellow countrymen”! Central Europe meaning - GERMANS, Swiss, Austrians, Czechs, Poles, Hungarians, Slowaks . . .

·        As transportation costs are low and distances are short – they often travel as families or small groups of friends.

·        As a result, the demand in vacation home lodging is starting to rise! – Also, because longer stays seem to be in (5-10+ nights).

·        Travelling the “neighborhood” means, many are repeat visitors and still want to be surprised. – “Off the Beaten Path”/”Hidde Gems”/ “(Visual) Themes” – probably will do better than “Introductory Bus Tours”, “Highlight Tours”, “Food Tours”, crammed “Undergrounds”, “Pub Crawls” . . .

·        The most rewarding, but not the only “source market” in Central Europe are the German speakers – DACH (ca. 100 Mill.!!) – So SPECIAL ATTENTION is required and well deserved!!!

·        As airlines struggle with re-start, regional flight-schedules are often neither reliable nor tourist-friendly – RAIL is a valid alternative!!

Destinations:

·        There is talk about a rush for small towns and tranquil retreats – BUT they will fill up fast and getting there is mostly limited to self-drive.

·        Small boutique-hotels or guesthouses not always have the space for physical distancing and their concepts often contradict social distancing, especially if coziness is a sales argument. – Regarding recent European “cluster-results” in Covid-tracing – longer indoor get-togethers with insufficient ventilation seem to be the biggest hazard!

·        On the other hand, “Metropolitan Destinations” now relieved from bus-tourists/day-visitors, budget flyers and/or cruise-guests, running on occupancy rates of 15%, easily can provide any kind of required distancing. A nearly empty Hilton/Marriott my not seem appealing but it’s probably a safer place to be!!

·        Wherever they go – guests tend to stay a bit longer at a destination, avoiding relocation and re-adjusting to diverse safety rules. Destinations with a varied spectrum of activities should have an advantage. – (That excludes the classic summer-/beach destinations, which will happen very reduced this summer – but that’s not the concern of my thoughts!)

·        Walkability, outside tours of rewarding sights, private driving tours, skip the line and easy access to attractive surroundings should win over bus tours, crowded interior visits, and limited connectivity to neighboring/surrounding attractions/destinations.

·        Destinations must make visible the “space”, “green”, “fun for kids/families”, “variety” in sights/collections/parks/zoos/outdoor eateries etc.

Creating Marketing CLUSTERS – in source markets for people than can/want to travel – in (related) destinations that can entertain in the above way – in experiences and some attractions that can handle the health-requirements well and TOGETHER make their guests’ stay MEANIGFUL and ENYOIABLE.

These thoughts come from Vienna – but I think they are good for the “Heart of Europe” (Dresden, Prague, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Ljubljana, Budapest, Krakow and everything inbetween) as well!

Some think tourism is dead – but the urge to travel never dies (I’m in the business for 45+ years!) – even if the extreme “adventure” or “herd travel” (cruise/bus-tours) take a break in 2020/2021 – let’s WELCOME “Single Explorers”!