INTERNATIONAL. Airport lounges will remain essential to airport passengers in the COVID-19 era and beyond but health, hygiene and sustainability factors will heavily influence consumer perception, according to the findings of a recent survey by Plaza Premium Group.
The group, a global industry leader and pioneer of airport hospitality, conducted the study to examine the future of airport hospitality services during and beyond the pandemic.
While airport lounges and hospitality services will still be considered essential post pandemic, an emphasis on hygiene and sustainability ranked highest in importance in regards to automated food ordering system, eco-friendly food packaging and elimination of single-use plastics.
The survey gathered responses from 200+ industry partners. Among them, most reside in Malaysia (24%), followed by the UK (13%), India (10%), Canada (9%) and Hong Kong (7.5%). The survey was drawn from respondents working for airports and airlines (27%), consumer banks (10%), and travel services (10%), including OTAs, booking agents, tour operators and travel management companies (TMCs).
As part of its efforts to re-engineer customer experience in response to COVID-19, Plaza Premium Group said that the findings further reinforce the importance of safeguarding traveller’s health and wellbeing by adaptation to the ‘new normal’. The group is doing so through committing to a series of wellbeing measurements at global locations.
These include implementing precautionary operational procedures such as body temperature checks, social distancing, sanitisation enhancements, individually-portioned meal services, and more to ensure a worry-free travel experience.
For the full What’s Next In Airport Hospitality survey, please click https://bit.ly/2CafkXB
