The Rundown #2 February: Changes
The next installment of The Rundown is here! In this edition, we’ll evaluate the changes we’ve seen in the industry as travel looks set to boom this year, albeit with a few tweaks here and there.
Europe’s on top!
A reshuffle of top destinations was always in the cards. Countries like Portugal, Spain, Czechia, Germany and Finland are now the most popular and for good reason! Group safety is the #1 priority and Europe boasts reliable healthcare, decreasing case numbers and less restrictions. South Africa, Singapore, Japan, Costa Rica and other more ambitious destinations are also gathering interest, but clients now see Europe as the most reliable choice.
Accommodate accordingly
Clients have started to opt for individual rooms in hotels, a shift from students often sharing rooms in previous years. It’s a no-brainer, minimizing the risk of precautionary quarantine or infection from a roommate. We’ve also noticed clients opting for more buses with fewer students on board each, again a way to reduce complications. Simple changes from pre-pandemic travel, but ones that boost safety and protect the success of the program.
Embrace the unexpected
Surprises can happen, that’s just part and parcel of travel, right? These days it’s just a tad more likely than before. Perhaps a last-minute switch of visit, company A can’t accommodate the group, but no sweat, because company B sure can. Case in point from a recent program when measures suddenly changed. Thanks to our local network, we found a new speaker within 24 hours and brought them directly to the students at the hotel conference room!
These changes all boil down to having the right partner and in 22 years we’ve recognized and navigated plenty. If you want to know how we can get your students back out there, you can easily arrange a call via my Calendly.
Best regards,
Tomas Chalupnik
CEO
chalupnik@studyprograms.com