Though largely sparing business aviation, the pandemic has devasted the ultra-high-end travel and hospitality industries while sparking innovations now transforming the sectors, according to Malta-based VistaJet. The global air charter provider today released "The Future of Private Travel," a report that aims to document current changes and “start a conversation on what the new normal will look like beyond 2021,” VistaJet chief commercial officer Ian Moore told AIN.

Based on responses from among more than 650 of the hospitality sectors’ industry leaders queried worldwide, 78 percent reported year-over-year net revenue declines of at least 60 percent, with a significant portion (43 percent) seeing drops exceeding 90 percent. Meanwhile, adapting for the future, just under 95 percent have planned or implemented customer experience and/or service upgrades, and more than 60 percent have introduced new offerings, products, or services, according to the report, which was produced in partnership with high net-worth market consultancy Barton. 

The survey also revealed “a need to be collaborative,” with over 86 percent of the luxe purveyors developing turnkey offerings to overcome Covid-related restrictions and requirements. “Even previously competing brands” may work together in the normal to come, Moore said, while admitting VistaJet and the small core of top-end private lift providers won’t be among them. “I don’t see a huge amount of collaboration among the big boys—other than acquisitions,” he added.