Inflation, tech costs dampen travel experience operators’ optimism

Operators of tours, attractions, activities and experiences have faced rapid change over the past several years, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have varied widely across regions and activity types. 

As a result, operators are experiencing an uneven recovery: Many are still working toward recovery, while a lucky few thrived throughout the pandemic and some ceased operations altogether. 

According to the latest report from Phocuswright and Arival, Travel Experiences: Operator and Consumer Trends, overall, 63% of global operators indicate that bookings in 2022 are at or above the 2019 level (see figure below). Among this group, bookings are up an average of 18% versus 2019. 

For more than one third of operators, however, bookings remain well below the pre-pandemic level. These operators on average are seeing just over half the bookings they received in 2019.

Operator sentiment 

Despite the challenges of the past few years, operators are largely optimistic about the future (see figure below).

In September 2022, roughly three quarters (76%) of operators indicated they are somewhat or very optimistic about prospects for the coming year. 

Despite the largely positive response, this sentiment reflects a decline in optimism compared to January 2022, when 81% of operators expressed similar optimism. 

While prospects appear good overall, persistent inflation, paired with currency woes and the ongoing conflict in Europe have dampened expectations slightly, amid fears of a looming recession.

The challenges 

Among the challenges impacting operators are rising costs for a broad range of essential expenditures.

Many operators are paying more for new equipment, technology and staffing/wages. In addition to cost-of-living increases, staffing challenges in many locations have resulted in pay increases in order to attract and retain staff. 

More than half of operators report higher costs for marketing as well as insurance. Cost increases are substantially more widespread than they were in 2021, when only a minority of operators experienced rising cost pressure.