Reinventing Travel Agencies in a Post-Pandemic World

To cope with the impacts of Covid, several travel agencies reconverted, retaining their ties to tourism but relying on strategic alliances or simply taking advantage of the context.

The pandemic crisis pushed many sectors to transform themselves. Tourism agencies were among them. Among these departures were some never imagined either by Stendhal, who coined the term "tourism" in 1838, or by Thomas Cook, one of the first world operators in the sector.

According to experts, restructuring is much less complicated than it is supposed to be. However, it is necessary to clear one's mind and look in perspective in order to detect probabilities.

This industry has undergone profound changes and many shipping companies even went bankrupt. Until 1958, when today's cruise ships were born. Leisure was the focus of most ocean liners to stay afloat. To their classic ballrooms they added swimming pools, cabarets and outdoor activities. The warm ports of the Bahamas, the Mediterranean or the Caribbean became their main destinations.

To survive, these companies left their comfort zone. Their goal was to find new services with a certain affinity to their activity. Logically, the idea was to achieve this goal without losing their particularities.

A few travel agencies were reconverted during the pandemic. Some fell by the wayside. Others decided to close those collateral ventures once tourism reopened. It is common for entrepreneurs to see other organizations as competitors rather than potential allies, although this is not always the case.

It is well known that the collaboration of different firms makes it possible to achieve larger projects. A wide range of clients can be reached quickly. This situation is more effective if the organizations are complementary, and if each retains its essence. 

Analysts point out that one of the main problems with turnarounds is involving the employees of the original business. In most cases, this affects their performance, motivation and attitude towards the new job.

As specialists point out, change is the only constant in today's business world. Success is on the side of those who adapt to circumstances and innovate. Only those who reinvent themselves will endure.