Why the travel industry will be stronger and better after coronavirus
The travel industry has been decimated by the coronavirus — with estimates of over $24 billion lost as 825,000 jobs have been wiped out and more than 8.2 million visitors stay away from the United States alone. But with the storm clouds come a silver lining. Without the steady stream of cruise ships (some of the worst polluters in the world), the canals of Venice have become clear for the first time in centuries; pollution around the world has dropped dramatically and cities that had been trampled by overtourism are recovering.
And travel experts say that when the world recovers from the rampant spread of COVID-19, the industry will come back stronger than ever. And when the world starts moving again, it will be in the right way. "I think when this has finally come under control it will create a huge need to travel," said Samantha Brown, who hosts "Places to Love" on PBS.
"And I'm not talking just travel to far places … but small trips to more local and state destinations. We will want to move and most importantly reconnect to people." Pavia Rosati, who founded the travel site Fathom, agreed and said there will likely be an "increased interest in local travel, for those who want to stay relatively close to home. This might be the year that New Yorkers who usually go to Greece make their way to Nantucket or the Gullah Islands instead."
