How the Coronavirus Pandemic Will Change the Way We Travel

When people do start traveling again, they’re going to be cautious at first. Many brands, like Marriott and Hilton, have announced heightened standards for hygiene and cleanliness—an important step, according to Miller, who believes that in order to be successful, hotels need to clearly communicate what they’re doing to keep travelers safe. Big brands may be better at getting that messaging out, but independent properties and small hotel groups might have more leeway to adapt their policies.

“We will need to approach a new way of check-in and check-out procedures, applying new sanitary protocols, mandatory for all public activities, and we are going to be very strict on that in order to [best] follow all the indications given by the Sanitary Institution,” Giorgia Tozzi, general manager of Rome’s intimate Hotel Vilòn, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, told AD. “Nevertheless, I am working on new ways and little tricks that will smoothen up these procedures and transform the new rules in a less traumatic [way] and hopefully [create] pleasant experience still in line with the elegance and style of the hotel.”

Similarly, Borgo Egnazia—a chic member of Leading Hotels of the World in Puglia—will implement new hygiene and safety guidelines, including digitizing check-in, reducing paper material, and reducing occupancy to give guests more space for social distancing. Adriatic Luxury Hotels, which runs 12 hotels in Croatia, is rolling out enhanced sanitation measures, including placing hand sanitizers at entrances to the restaurants, elevators, spa, and in restrooms, frequent disinfection of the elevator control panel and staircase handrails, deep cleaning of kitchen areas and buffet tables, and the provision of masks and gloves upon request.

The Rise of Villa Stays

Even with enhanced cleaning practices, people may be wary of interacting with staff as they did before. For this reason, Belles reports that demand for villa rentals is increasing among Virtuoso’s network of travel advisors. “While people are eager to get back to traveling, they also still want to socially distance,” she says. “Villas are the perfect solution, though guests are foregoing things like housecleaning and personal chefs, which are typically part of a villa rental.”

Elena Fotiadi, marketing director for the Greek luxury villa rental company White Key Villas, couldn’t confirm that they’ve had an increase in bookings for this summer, but affirmed that some guests have said the only vacation they want to take this year will be in a secluded villa and not a hotel. “Facts permitting, summer will be on in Greece later this June; our team, as always, will be on-site to control and oversee the work done prior to their arrival and during their stay,” she said. “We strongly believe that these are important actions that need to be highlighted now more than ever, and that once we have returned to our new normality, professionally managed private villas will be among the safest accommodation options globally.”