According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) the projected hotel occupancy rate for 2020 is 38% which is according to them would be the lowest year on record and even worse than 1933 during the Great Depression. As you can see, there is a lot of data already available about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic of the hospitality industry which has been one of the most impacted and predicting when or how it will recover is nearly impossible. What is a certainty is that we as travelers should all expect the following key trends as restrictions are gradually lifted in many cities and countries: Minimal contact with service staff unless it’s necessary An emphasis on social distancing measures A huge emphasis on cleanliness The possibility of temperature checks or being asked to wear a mask While these trends may be uncomfortable for many it is inevitable hotels or resorts may insist on them if anything just to minimize risks to their business. Some of them for example are already part of the AHLA’s Safe Stay Guidelines which according to their website has already been endorsed by all major U.S. hotel brands, hospitality associations in 50 states and Canada as well as thousands of hotel properties across the country. That is why we also need to be sensitive to service employees who ask us to comply with the rules during our stays because they’ll be just doing their jobs and it will also be a reality in many other areas of our daily lives. In the end they may just be sensible precautions that can keep us safe and healthy while we’re all trying to adapt to a new way of interacting with each other especially when travelling for work or pleasure.