News/tourism in the balkans post covid

Posted on 15 May 2020

Tourism in the balkans post COVID-19

For almost three months, we have been coping with an unexpected situation. It seemed like the outbreak of COVID-19 stopped the world and affected all humankind globally.

Traveling was one of the things that were affected the most, restricting everyone in every corner of the globe. Inevitably, we started to wonder how will tourism be in the Balkans post COVID-19.

Situation in the balkans

Although Covid-19 reached the Balkans, compared to some other parts of the world, there are considerably fewer confirmed cases. The numbers are getting lower and lower each day. Therefore, some countries are taking their first decisions concerning tourism.
Greece, being one of the main tourist destinations, has announced the revival of tourism in July 1st. The government decided to open the country gradually, starting with ancient cultural heritage sites on May 18th, and museums in June. Nevertheless, further details concerning hygienic conditions during flights still need to be clarified on May 15th.


Croatia has lifted almost all measures taken during the pandemic. The government plans to open the borders with neighboring countries soon. Initially, only those who own real estate in Croatia or come for business will enter the country. However, the authorities are seriously considering the start of the high tourist season.

 

As for other countries of the region, official decisions still need to be made. Yet, most of the Balkans have decided to either ease or lift the preventive measures.

Situation in Albania

In Albania, we are slowly going back to normality, and the government is gradually lifting the preventive measures. Due to the restrictions that we followed, the virus did not spread as rapidly and massively as in other countries. Therefore, the numbers are decreasing day by day. As a result, 90% of the businesses have reopened, and people do not have curfews anymore.

 

Meanwhile, hotels, restaurants, and services are preparing to return to business. The government might slowly start opening borders around June 1st, and soon we can be a target destination again. Of course, some rules must be followed. However, since we are a safe country, we are preparing for this year’s touristic season. While doing that, we are making sure that the tourists have a relaxing, and safe experience in our beautiful Albania.

 

As always, Elite Travel Group is happy to answer any of your questions regarding Albania as a destination. So, do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to hear from you.

News / ETG experience

Posted on 26 Nov 2020

ETG experience during european VET week

European Vocational Skills Week 2020, the fifth edition of an annual event where different organizations around Europe showcase the best of vocational education and training (VET).

 

This year, the event was organized to be completely online with the theme “VET for Green and Digital Transitions”. We saw this as a great opportunity to showcase ETG’s initiative to support our local VET programs and also to offer our own through Elite Academy.

Our activities during the VET week

The European Vocational Skills Week 2020 was held during 9-13 November. In the frame of this event, Elite Academy presented 7 courses online for students, teachers, and everyone interested. The topics were:

 

Multimedia in the Future

Guidelines for an excellent tour guide

Brands of Global Tourism Industry

Digital Marketing for the Future

IT & AI in Tourism

Everything about Blogging

Full Stack Developer in .Net

 

Each presentation introduced the participants to a new perspective on the workforce and explore their talents. The aim was to show students and other participants not simply what we offer, but also to give them some more information regarding their opportunities and inspire them for the future. We were happy to see that around 138 participants enjoyed these webinars. If you missed them you can find the recordings on our Facebook Group.

 

Due to the success of this event, we look forward to welcome new students who want to participate to our courses at Elite Academy.

Our point of view

Just like the European Vocational Skills Week initiative, we believe that VET is very important not only for the Albanian but also for the European youth. We think that there is a lot of potential to find new talents through VET, and also to prepare students for what the future awaits. In our opinion, if there is enough investment in education and professional training, then we will be leading the next generations towards a better and brighter future.

 

Stay tuned for our next events and activities!

News /industria e turizmit në Shqipëri

Posted on 26 Jan 2021

Industria e turizmit në Shqipëri gjatë 2019

Turizmi padyshim është një nga sektorët kryesorë të ekonomisë botërore. Madje në shtete të caktuara, është një komponent jetësor i ekonmisë. Ka një mori avantazhesh që sjell turizmi për vende të ndryshme. Disa prej tyre janë të ardhurat, zhvillimet e infrastrukturës, krijimi i punëve të reja, si edhe shkëmbimi kulturor mes të huajve dhe shtetasve. Çdo vit World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) sjell raportin vjetor me të dhëna rreth ndikimit të këtij sektori në ekonominë globale, por edhe të të gjitha shteteve specifike.

 

Raporti global

 

Sipas WTTC, sektori i turizmit, ka patur një kontribut 10,3% në GDP totale. Gjithashtu, ka siguruar 330 milion të punësuar në nivel botëror. Për më tepër, rritja e industrisë së turizmit (3,5%) ka tejkaluar edhe rritjen e përgjithshme të ekonomisë botërore (2,5).

 

Raporti për Shqipërinë

 

Vendi ynë ka një pafundësi potencialesh turistike dhe gjithnjë e më tepër ka parë një fuqizim të këtij sektori. Sipas WTTC, shihet se turizmi ka patur një kontribut prej 358.3 miliard lekë, apo 21.2%, në ekonominë e përgjithshme shqiptare. Kjo tregon se rritja vjetore në GDP nga industria e turizmit është shumë më e lartë sesa rritja e përgjithshme ekonomike në Shqipëri. Ndikimi i kësaj industrie dallohet jo vetëm nga rritja ekonomike që i sjell vendit tonë, por edhe nga kontributi që ajo ka në punësim. Rreth 22,2% e të punësuarve në të gjithë Shqiprinë janë në sektorin e turizmit. Kjo do të thotë një numër të konsiderueshëm prej 254.300 vende pune.

Burimi kryesor i të ardhurave nga ky sektor vjen nga vizitorët ndërkombëtarë me një shumë prej 275.5 miliard lekë. Këto shpenzime nga vizitorët e huaj përbëjnë rreth 76% të totalit.

Pavarësisht shifrave mjaft të larta, Shqipëria ka ende hapësira për t’u zhvilluar, në mënyrë që të arrijë potencialin e saj të plotë. Faktorë si infrastruktura apo cilësia e shërbimeve kanë bërë që zhvillimi i turizmit të mos jetë shumë i qëndrueshëm në terma afat-gjatë. Gjithsesi, nuk mund të mohoet fakti që industria e turizmit në Shqipëri është dhe do vazhdojë të jetë një nga sektorët më të rëndësishëm të zhvillimit ekonomik në vend.

Blog/ first ISRAIR flight to Albania for 2021

Posted on 11 May 2021

First ISRAIR flight to Albania for 2021

Rinas Airport

Albania has long awaited the restart of travel and tourism post-pandemic. Finally, Albanian tourism is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Recently we became a green list country and are considered a no-risk destination. For some time now there have been discussions on the arrival of foreign tourists. However, until now we did not have an exact date.

 

This week there was some good news that the first flight from Israir Airlines will arrive at Tirana International Airport on May 13th. Israir is a well-known Israeli airline that has established direct flights to Albania since 2018. Just like the rest of the world, these flights were halted due to the pandemic. However, Israel has outpaced the rest of the world with vaccinations. Around 55 percent of the population have received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and more than 41 percent have received two doses. Citizens have also been equipped with green passes to facilitate traveling. That is why tourists from Israel were some of the first that we were expecting. Tourists arriving with this Israir flight to Albania will be exclusively accommodated in 4-stars and 5-stars hotels in Tirana and Golem region in Durrës.

 

It looks like this first Israir flight to Albania is the start of Albanian tourism recovery.

Stay tuned for more updates!

News/travel hygiene trends post-covid

Posted on 17 May 2021

What will be the travel hygiene trends post-covid?

Hotel-hygiene (1)

With the start of the vaccination process and immunization of the population, the travel industry is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. However, travel and tourism will probably be different from now on. The post-COVID travel era will have increased attention toward cleanliness and hygiene. Despite being vaccinated, most travelers will watch out for health and safety policies. So, what will the picture of the future of travel hygiene trends be?

 
 
Airline industry
 

As airlines start to operate again, it will be essential to them to protect the crew and passengers and also relieve the travel anxiety. That is why they will focus on implementing processes to detect infection, physical distancing, and minimize surface contact. With the right tools for airlines, passengers might experience safer upcoming flights.

 

From elevated cleaning standards and collaborations with hygiene products producers to robots, hotels all over the world are working to win the customer’s trust. There are also some certifications that these hotels can achieve to prove their safeness. An example is the Safe Travels stamp created by WTTC for those businesses that have adopted their protocols. So, health and safety policies have become one of the most important factors when travelers choose their accommodation.

 
 
Tour operators
 

Tour operators have updated their cleaning and hygiene protocols as well. They must implement necessary sanitation and hygiene measures based on the nature of their activities and attractions. Some examples are contactless payments, provision of gloves and sanitary products for guests and staff, and clear communication as well.

 

So, to conclude, tourism stakeholders will have to work closely with health and safety officials to rebuild traveler confidence. Destinations that will invest in these measures and meet the new travel hygiene trends, will be able to succeed in the post-COVID-19 travel era.

News /bringing hotel excellence

Posted on 01 Jun 2021

Radisson Blu: bringing hotel excellence to southern Albania

Morina-palace

Starting from Summer 2021, you can find Radisson Blu in the Albanian Riviera. This has been great news for the Albanian tourism and business scene. It is the first time that the brand will be present in the whole Balkan region at Morina Palace, Dhërmi.

About Radisson Blu

Radisson Hotels Group is an American multinational hospitality company dating back to 1960. Radisson Blu is one of the seven subbrands of the international chain, since 2009. These luxury hotels can be found in major cities and leisure destinations around the world. With their exceptional service and stylish comfort, they promise to offer unforgettable experiences. They operate with around 400 hotels worldwide mostly concentrated in Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.
 

What does this mean for Albania?

Being a well-known international brand, Radisson Blu is expected to give a boost to Albanian tourism. It is also a very important FDI that contributes to making Albania more competitive and attractive to other foreign investors.

 

Stay tuned for further updates!

News / health and safety advancements

Posted on 19 May 2020

Post COVID-19 health and safety advancements at ETG

Health and safety have always been a priority for Elite Travel Group. Ever since we started our business 20 years ago, we have strived to do the best for tourism and our clients. As the world evolves into digitalization, we make sure to consistently adapt to the changes.

Since 2010 we have been working with international expertise to address the health and safety of tourism suppliers. As many of you already know, we have been working on a safety management system plan and workflow process. We intend to be able to conduct paperless safety inspections, audits, and checklists on-the-go by uploading safety forms.

 

What are We currently working on?

Recently ETG is constantly working on 3 important directions: health and safety advancements The first one is supporting government institutions. We advise them on how to conduct a prevention plan and simple legislation that could be easily absorbed, and logistically implemented by tourism suppliers. Secondly, we want to help the tourism suppliers with HCCAP Health Care Consumer Assistance Program – Training module. We plan to do so at a very low cost so that they can afford it and implement it. All this is tailored and certified by one of the most prestigious international partners. They have several decades of experience, on and offshore in safety management system implementation. 

Lastly, the plan is that by the end of 2020, we will implement this digital solution for risk management and the safety management system. This program aims to prevent technical glitches, human failures, promote safety and reduce risks. It will identify, assess, and control hazards to employees and the public in all operations. Currently, we are working on the actuality status of the COVID-19 pandemic case. We have implemented the daily, weekly, and monthly prevention plans inside the system. 

 

What are We trying to achieve?

To summarize, by working to fully digitize this process, we will take safety to the next level. There will be incident reports, toolbox talks, equipment tracking, mobility, natural disasters, hazard management, and much more. We will be the sole player in Albania and the entire region, where suppliers will be qualified based on client reviews, sustainability qualification, their safety management system, and client behavior records.

All this will be transparent in our software, bringing a whole different way of evaluation for these businesses, especially in Albania. Following the implementation of the safety management system, we will be looking forward to implementing standardization for a safer future for our clients, our suppliers, and our business. We believe that life after Covid-19 will be different. Therefore, we must be prepared for future challenges. The global society, and particularly the fragile global tourism industry, must adapt to such globally disruptive events. Stay in touch for further updates on our advancements! 

 

What are We trying to achieve?

Firstly, we have Elite Travel Albania which is an inbound service provider only to B2C (Business to Client). ETA offers theme-tailored services and guaranteed departures, tours, excursions, shore excursions, transfers, rent a car, luxury programs, and other land products. These services are offered throughout Eastern Europe, the Balkans countries, and Albania as well. Elite Travel Albania’s carefully crafted routes take you to both the classic sights and lesser-known, rural highlights. The passion and desire are still at the highest level.

 

Next, we have Elite Travel Agency. It is a tour operator for Albanians traveling out of Albania especially to the Balkan Regions and Central Europe. It offers accommodation for weekends/weekly stays, weekend breaks, cultural trips, and daily excursions. ETAg also has its contracted cruise offers for which inland services are done and operated by Elite Travel Group. And lastly, it offers explorations with 12 international trips in 5 continents, 1 each month.

The company bases its work on very professional staff and with considerable experience in the field of services.

 

The third profit center is Elite Travel Lufthansa City Center. This profit center provides its services to Albanian clients, Albanian businesses, and also International corporate accounts. These services include airplane tickets, ferry tickets, visa service, accommodation, tour packages, and airport transfers.

 

Elite Travel – LCC with 20 years of experience in the travel business, is already part of a global network Lufthansa City Center known as the best and most reliable company in the global travel market, with about 5500 employees, 650 agencies in most more than 80 countries around the globe. As for the inbound service provider for B2B (Business to Business), we have Elite DMC. It offers hospitality products such as special accommodation contracts, round trips, theme tours, excursions and experiences, transfer services, shore excursions, Luxury programs, MICE, and many other land services.

 

Elite DMC offers these services throughout Eastern Europe, Balkans countries, and Albania. In addition, our Elite Mobility profit center offers transport services, rent a car, rent driver services in Albania and the Balkans. 

We have Elite Academy which offers training and courses (especially for the tourism industry) focused on the principles of dual study. This is a nonprofit section, but the company is benefiting by qualifying young employees, improve its image, awareness, and company culture. This is done by offering social responsibility activities and this is considered a profit of professional development.

Elite Academy is made of a group of dedicated tourism professionals with a great deal of experience. Everybody is constantly attentive to global tourism trends, especially digitalization, which is constantly changing the industry.

Elite Academy is aware of the urgent need for competent serving staff in hospitality and provides both introductory and advanced training that is specially adapted to the needs of the tourism and hospitality sector. Its courses are characterized by a combination of theoretical training and direct practice.

 

Elite Coaching helps entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals grow in a variety of ways. They usually work on a fixed schedule to share actionable feedback, personalized advice, and growth plans for their clients to increase company revenue, accelerate their careers, or increase business growth.

What Elite Coaching does, is a sustainable and smart transformation for the exponential growth of all industries.

Blog/traveling in Albania during Covid-19

Posted on 12 Jun 2020

Traveling in Albania during COVID-19

Travelling rules - airport

Your wellbeing is primary for us. Therefore, we are giving you the latest updates about traveling in Albania during COVID-19. During this unprecedented situation created by COVID-19, we have been in touch with all the public institutions and local partners, to assure maximal security on all of your travels with us.
Since March 10th, until now, two authorities were assigned to implement all the safety measures in Albania. These institutions are:

1. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection: https://new.shendetesia.gov.al/

2. The Institute of Public Health: http://www.ishp.gov.al/

 

Sectorial:

1. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment: http://www.mjedisi.gov.al/

2. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy: https://www.infrastruktura.gov.al/

 

We have strictly followed and we have implemented all the guidelines and protocols published by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection & The Institute of Public Health, against the spread of the virus.

 

Below we have listed all the measures published in the “Anti COVID-19 Measures Protocol”, approved by the Joint Order No. 353 dated 29/05/2020 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection & the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.

Protocols approved by the institute of Public Health

This is a temporary guide during this dynamic phase of COVID-19 and therefore will be refreshed again according to the level of risk.

 

1-Logistic (Coach)

-70 % of the capacity of the coach is allowed
-All passengers must be equipped with masks and a hand sanitizer
-Maintain distance (where is possible)

 

2-COVID-19 SANITARY HYGIENE MASS PROTOCOL IN BARS OR RESTAURANTS IN OPEN ENVIRONMENT

 

  • Hand hygiene is important in these moments:
  1. Before, during, and after food consumption.
  2. After using the toilet.
  3. After you have cleaned your nose, after coughing or sneezing.
  4. After wearing, touching, or removing the mask or face protector.
  5. After touching money or items that have been treated by employers, such as disposable food bags.
  6. Before wearing and removing disposable gloves.
  7. Do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth.
  8. Coughing and sneezing are performed using the throat or nasal paper. Cards immediately are thrown into the basket.
  • The client disinfects hands at the entrance and exit of the bar or restaurant with 60% alcohol-based sanitizers made available by the entity.
  • The bar or restaurant subject must guarantee and respect at all times the distance of 1.5 meters between the employed staff and the customers.
  • It is recommended to avoid “cash” money and provide card services credit.
  • If the payment is made at the cashier the subject of the bar or restaurant must place Plexiglas between the employee and the client.
  • In no case is physical contact allowed between other clients from different groups, or between third including greetings.
  • The bar subject – cafe or restaurant should place on the surface of the environment open the tables, so that the distance from the back of one chair in the back of another chair to be at least 1m away, as a result, customers see each other from a distance at least 2m.
  • Third parties such as suppliers and distributors are only allowed to be equipped with protective masks, gloves, and hand disinfection.
  • The subject must disinfect the environment and clean before opening and after closing at least 2 times a day. Dirty surfaces are first washed with soap and water and then disinfected with other products. Products used by the manufacturer/seller should be following the relevant instructions of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
  • The entity must display the information poster on COVID-19 risk reduction According to the approved format.
  • The subject bar – cafe or restaurant must post the statement for the implementation of a protocol for the subjects, according to the approved format which includes the obligation for self-assessment of symptoms by staff/administrator/any other third party person entering and leaving the premises under approved format, where administrative or criminal liability is mentioned for the person who does not take measures according to legal obligations and green number for denunciation.
  • The bar – coffee or restaurant subject must display the full protocol according to the text approved.

 

3-Measures in resorts, hotels, accommodation units as well as tourist attractions (museums, places of interest, national parks, etc.)

 

This protocol is valid only in case of the removal of restrictive measures by the Albanian Government and in case of allowing touristic activities, according to the confirmed areas and territories.

 

 

1.1 Treatment of symptomatic cases

 

If a person present within the accommodation/tourism facility (visitor, staff, etc.) has a fever and symptoms of a respiratory infection (dry cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing) he should immediately notify the accompanying person. with National Emergency 127 and LGU of the local unit in terms of tourist enterprise. Communication should be possible only through the telephone.

 

1.2 Use of elevators

 

The use of elevators must allow the distance approved by the MLSW (1.5 m). The distance can be reduced for people who are part of the same family, tourist group, or who share a room.

 

1.3 Manual for Food and Beverage administration

 

-Raise your hands often and on request.
-If automatic machines are used, the drinks should be served only in disposable cardboard cups.

 

1.4 Customers 

 

When entering and leaving restaurants, or barns customers should disinfect their hands with a disinfectant gel, that should be placed at the entrance of these facilities. Customers must maintain a distance approved by the MLSW between them (1.5 meters). traveling in albania during COVID-19

1.5 General rules

 

Until the end of the epidemic caused by Covid-19, all beach stations as well as public beaches must have posted the advice and rules for protection against Covid-19.

These rules consist of.

a) Wash and disinfect your hands regularly and properly.
b) Use masks according to instructions.
c) Avoid crowds and any contact outside the group.
d) Do not touch the face and nose with unwashed and uninfected hands.
e) When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth/nose with forearms or disposable wipes.
f) If you notice Covid19 symptoms, call Nr. 127.

 

1.6 SPA / Sauna / Massage & beauty center

 

Based on the size of the environment, the hotel/resort can allow a maximum number of customers at the same time in the Spa area respecting the distance of 1.5 meters between them. For customers who want to enjoy a massage or use the sauna or jacuzzi, each of them must make a reservation to check their number with respect to the distance of 1.5 meters.

 

1.7 Various concerts 

 

At the moment, festivals, concerts, and festivities with a large concentration of people are not allowed until a second announcement.

 

1.8 Rules for guides and excursions

 

Recommendations for visits to museums, cultural sites, archeology and protected areas for organized groups, families or individuals

  1. It is recommended to maintain physical distances and personal hygiene according to the instructions of MSHMS.
  2. In museums, cultural sites, archeological sites, and protected areas, special bins are placed for the disposal of anti-COVID waste.
  3. At the beginning of each trip, the tourist guide is recommended to provide the necessary information to the tourists for maintaining the physical distance and hygiene according to the instructions of MSHMS.

News/updated Covid-19 H&S travel protocol

Posted on 07 Jul 2020

Our updated Covid-19 H&S travel protocol

As the world starts to travel again, we know that restrictions and protocols will rapidly change and evolve. Therefore, from now on Elite Travel Group will continually follow the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels Global Protocols.

 

This is our updated COVID 19 Health and Safety Travel Protocol. We have also reached our suppliers so that they can review the guidelines listed below. COVID health and safety protocol

Accommodation

Starting with accommodation guidelines, all hotel employees must wear masks in direct contact with guests. They must be trained based on the hygiene regulations of COVID-19. Each hotel should make sure that employees work in fixed teams so that contact can be reduced.

 

In addition, before the arrival of each guest, the cleaning of the rooms should be done with suitable disinfectants. Especially the pillows have to be thoroughly disinfected, and the room should be ventilated.

 

To remind guests regarding the rules, hotels must place signs around their spaces and have sufficient disinfectant dispensers in all relevant areas. Also, guests must make sure to wear mouth and nose protections whenever they are in the lobby, elevator, or closed public areas. All entertainment activities can proceed without close contact and by keeping a minimum distance of 1.50 m. COVID health and safety protocol

Guides

We train our tour guides regularly regarding the rules of conduct in connection with the Corona pandemic. In the event of any suspected cases, every tour guide acts according to the ETG crisis manual.

 

For on-site visits, ETG will organize and carry out test runs in advance. Besides that, the tour guide will ensure and inform the group in the morning that the bus has been thoroughly cleaned, ventilated, and disinfected overnight.

Check-in/out

There are a few different forms that check-in/out will proceed. The first one is by us as DMC or while being on the bus. In this case, the tour guide will distribute the appropriate forms to the clients and hand them over to the hotel staff after completion.

 

The second way is through electronic check-in in advance by the guest. And the third way is by checking-in in small groups of a maximum of 2 people.
If possible, guests will receive their room key from the tour guide and hand it over to their tour guide at check-out.

Meals

Our hotel partners predominantly do not have meals in buffet form. Instead, most of the meals are served “à la carte” at the table. When it comes to breakfast, you can ask to have it in your room. (please make sure that the offer is extensive).
Moreover, inside the restaurant, a minimum distance of 1.5 m is maintained and, if necessary, meal times per room/travel group are specified. When visiting external restaurants, make sure to observe the rules of distance and that meals are à la carte.

Transfers

The buses and coaches used will be loaded with a maximum of 50% of the permitted capacity to ensure a sufficient distance between passengers (currently valid until 30.09.20). Additionally, passengers should wear mouth/nose protection on the transfer buses. Also, we will provide disinfectants for the hands in sufficient quantities in the buses.

 

If possible, passengers will enter or leave the bus only from the rear door and in an orderly manner from front to back. The exit of the bus is from the back to the front to avoid contact with other passengers. Furthermore, we will assign a fixed seating order for the entire duration of the journey, which the guests will stick to.
Before each travel group, we will make sure to thoroughly disinfect the buses.

Bus round trips

Buses will be loaded with a maximum of 50% of the permitted capacity (initially valid until 30.9.2020) to ensure sufficient distance between passengers. However, guests who stay in the same room may sit together on the bus, otherwise only one person per row of 2 persons, every second row remains free.

 

The initial welcome should be contactless. The guide and driver must wear masks and gloves.

 

In the case of guests that show symptoms, they will be immediately separated from the group, and we will take them to the doctor. Our tour guides always carry information about the nearest doctors and hospitals.
On the buses, it is recommended that guests wear mouth/nose protection.

Visits

We have carefully observed the regulations of individual countries regarding the limitation of guests at places of interest and the necessary distance rules. If necessary we may have to adjust the travel arrangements. The tour guide will wear a mask and speak loudly so that all guests can understand what they say.

 

In addition, the guide must have a microphone. Nonetheless, audio systems are not allowed, as the use of them involves too many contacts.

News / global customer survey by Lufthansa

Posted on 07 Aug 2020

Lufthansa City Center global customer survey:
the desire to travel is great

Lufthansa City Center (LCC) is the world’s largest independent franchise company in the travel agency market with more than 570 offices in 95 countries and a total turnover of around 5.3 billion euros (business year 2018) – 5,43 billion Euros (business year 2019). LCC is active in the leisure (tourism) and corporate (business travel) sectors.

 

The LCC business travel division operates under the label LCC Business Travel. The chain of owner-managed medium-sized travel agencies includes 300 offices with around 2,400 employees in Germany alone. The travel agency network employs around 5,300 people worldwide. LCC global customer survey

Global Survey Big Teaser for Website Leisure

How Was the Survey Conducted?

From May 20-th until June 12-th, 2020, LCC conducted a customer survey among all international LCC customers. A total of 2,288 customers – including 1,089 corporate and 1,199 leisure customers – from 48 countries took part in the survey. The majority of these customers came from Western Europe (36.10 percent), followed by Eastern Europe (20.59 percent), Middle East/Africa (12.81 percent), Asia (12.36 percent), The Americas (18.15 percent). Among the corporate respondents, 27 percent were travel managers, 9 percent procurement specialists, 27 per-cent travelers, and 37 percent stated a different area of responsibility.

 

The purpose was to analyze the travel behavior and the changing needs of travelers during COVID-19. The results showed that travel and face-to-face meetings will not be replaced by virtual meetings in the future. Despite COVID-19, the desire to travel continues to be great, and the demand will increase in the upcoming months.

 

These findings mean positive news for travel agencies. As stated by Martina Groenegres, Managing Director of Lufthansa City Center International (LCCI): “Our international LCC travel agencies have been tremendously challenged over the past weeks. This survey among our LCC customers emphasizes a positive trend. It reveals the combination of an increasing choice, reduced travel warnings, and the opening of borders, as well as the expert knowledge of the individual LCC travel consultant, will be key for our customers.”

Business travel continues to be important

For most respondents, business travel is vital. Three-quarters of the respondents believe that the volume of travel will decrease by at least 50 percent in 2020. For 2021, the results look more positive: 38 percent said that the travel volume is going to be the same as in 2019.

 

Replacing business travel with virtual meetings is out of the question for the majority, 83 percent prefer real meetings versus video conferences. Also, the travel plans after COVID-19 are promising. 53 percent plan to journey again after three months, 34 percent after six months. However, with a similar or smaller budget. Among all respondents, air travel remains the main means of transport for their business trips. LCC global customer survey

Survey Publication

Consumers want to travel

The desire to travel is great among leisure customers. The majority is planning a trip in 2020– 48 percent regional and cross-border and 30 percent intercontinental. Many of them can hardly wait: 36 percent intend to travel after three months and 32 percent after six months. For more than half of the responders, last-minute offers are also an option. Beach and city breaks continue to be very popular (with 62 percent and 54 percent), followed by countryside and mountain holidays (each with 33 percent). As for the means of transport, 90 percent of those questioned prefer air travel over their car (73 percent), and 68 percent want to stay in a hotel.

The expertise of travel agencies is wanted

In the future, travel agencies and their expertise will be in demand more than ever. “Apart from new technologies, the relevance of care products as well as new hygiene and safety services, it is the trusted relation to the competent travel expert with local contacts world-wide that makes a difference”, says Martina Groenegres.

 

Also, additional information will be required. For example, 50 percent of the corporate customers want information on the local health situation, 24-hour service, or help in adapting travel guidelines. 43 percent of the leisure customers would pay extra for the service required due to COVID-19.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.