Trends, Predictions and Wishes for 2021
21/12/2020
As we come to the end of what has been a challenging 2020, here at HTS we remain positive and already planning for 2021.
Managing Director, Julie Shorrock, recently appointed onto the Board of the HBAA, shared her trends, predictions, and wishes for 2021. Take a read below.
For the full feature, including all HBAA Board members – read the article here.
Trends
With what we have endured during 2020, forecasting has been impossible and consumer confidence is key to any future trends. However, I believe we will continue to see a slow growth back to business travel. We’ll get there, but without a magic wand, it won’t happen overnight.
Predictions
I predict that domestic business travel will recover more quickly than international, and rail will see a faster recovery than air travel. There has been a lot of pent up in demand with people wanting to get out and see clients and colleagues again, but only when it is safe to do so.
There will be an importance on the value of face-to-face meetings when they are more allowable. We are starting to see enquiries come through for training and team-focused events and these will gradually gather momentum. Larger conferences will take longer to come back and that’s why I believe the use of virtual and hybrid is here to stay as it will play some part in the future of large events in the ‘new world’.
I don’t believe there will be a full return to office working environment for our industry or our clients. Zoom and Teams are here to stay for some time. With continued isolated working conditions, mental health awareness will play a pivotal role in the wellbeing of us all.
Wishes
Despite the year we have faced, our industry has demonstrated how well we collaborate to make us stronger and collectively, louder to have our voices heard. Agents, hotels, suppliers, and the client community have openly worked together to strengthen the industry across travel, meetings, and accommodation services.
We are now better recognised and respected by Parliament, Government and local council level allowing us to gain the financial support we need to rebuild our businesses and our industry. As part of my role within the HBAA, I look forward to building upon this community and seeing us once again thrive!
