The Outdoors, Contactless Tech New Tourism Trends

The pandemic has thrown the tourism and hospitality industry into a temporary flurry. However, some of the changes and adjustments that were designed to aid people in keeping their distance have boosted the RV industry, a report said.

Contactless technology and a shift towards self-guided activities and outdoor excursions that have become the norm in travel for the pandemic are likely to be long-lasting and relevant even after normal travel has resumed.

Since the initial lockdown was lifted in May, Galveston’s East End Lagoon and Dellanera RV Park are becoming increasingly popular, according to Michael Woody, chief tourism officer of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees.

The park board oversees the island beaches and parks.

Outdoor activities are growing in popularity, he added.

“We’re seeing that people are leaning into those types of experiences,” Woody said. “Motor home sales, or mobile home sales, really went through the roof during the pandemic.”

Now that people have made those major purchases, he explained that they’re likely to want to see a long period of value from them.

Jamaica Beach RV Park is another RV park in Texas. It has been frequently full in the past year, the park’s manager Aric Salois said.

Commonly, holidays are booked up a year in advance, he stated.

“Now, with the summer, we’re seeing trends where the weekends will start filling in anywhere from eight months in advance,” Salois said. “You’ve got to book four months in advance for summer weekdays. You can’t even get in the Fourth of July.”

While tourists weren’t allowed in the outdoors, the practice of social distancing during the outbreak led to an increase in technologies and contactless experiences.

The park board also introduced self-guided tours for visitors. They can use their smartphones to access, Woody said.

“You can do it on your own and with whatever size group you want to be in,” Woody said.