How Europe's tourism industry has been affected by the war in Ukraine

Bernabò Bocca, President of Italy hotel association Federalberghi , said he was most concerned about energy costs, which have surged in ...

Bernabò Bocca, President of Italy hotel association Federalberghi, said he was most concerned about energy costs, which have surged in Italy in recent months. “Hotels are energy-intensive businesses, they are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” he said. “The cost of energy has become a very important component, a price that the whole world pays.”

Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for around 14% of Italy’s GDP, according to the country’s tourism ministry and Italy’s national tourism agency, ENITsaid that in 2019 more than 63 million foreigners traveled to Italy.

At a recent trade show, Italian Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia cited a February survey of US travel sentiment by market research firm MMGY Global, which reported that 47% of the 4,500 respondents were waiting to see how the situation in Ukraine would develop before planning their visit to Europe. “It’s clear that if half the Americans don’t come to Europe, it will be a tragedy,” he said.

Travel trends that will define 2022

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Looking forward. As governments around the world ease coronavirus restrictions, the travel industry is hoping this will be the year the journey is back. Here’s what to expect:

Accommodation. During the pandemic, many travelers have discovered the intimacy offered by rental residences. Hotels hope to compete again offering stylish properties for extended stays, sustainable options, rooftop bars and coworking spaces.

Car rental. Travelers can expect higher prices and older cars with high mileage, as companies still could not expand their fleets. Are you looking for an alternative? Car-sharing platforms might be a more affordable option.

Cruises. Despite a chaotic start to the year, thanks to the thrust of Omicron, demand for cruises remains high. Luxury expedition voyages are particularly attractive right now, as they typically sail on smaller vessels and away from crowded destinations.

destinations. Cities are officially back: Travelers can’t wait to dive into the sights, bites and sounds of a metropolis like Paris or New York. For a more relaxing time, some resorts across the United States are pioneering a nearly all-inclusive model that takes the guesswork out of vacation planning.

Experiences. Travel options focused on sexual wellness (think couples’ retreats and beachside sessions with intimacy coaches) are becoming increasingly popular. Educational trips, on the other hand, are increasingly sought after by families with children.

However, other tour operators large and small are still expressing optimism for the upcoming season, despite war and coronavirus concerns. Last week, online travel agency Expedia announced predictions for a strong summer in Europe, saying interest from American travelers wanting to visit Britain, Germany and France this summer has increased fivefold from at the same time in 2020.

On the Costa Blanca, members of the local hotel industry have signed fixed-price contracts with tour operators, which should lead to fewer cancellations. The main challenge for hotels will be to manage rising costs and adapt to supply chain issues.

Mr Cuenca, of Magic Costa Blanca, said he had yet to raise rates and fees at his hotels and expressed cautious optimism for the summer, having already booked around half of his hotel rooms. hotel for the season. “We will have to watch inflation and we may have to adjust our rates to maintain our profit margins,” he said.

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