Plaza Premium survey underlines importance of private spaces and contactless experiences at airports

INTERNATIONAL. Airport hospitality services company Plaza Premium Group has revealed the results of a new consumer survey into how travellers feel about air travel, airports and airport hospitality during the COVID-19 era and post pandemic.

The survey findings show that although the landscape for travel remains uncertain, people are eager to fly once travel restrictions are lifted. The findings also reveal that airport hospitality services and private spaces are considered essential, with hygiene and safety top of mind.

The survey on ‘What The New Normal in Airport Hospitality Is’ gathered responses from 2,000 travellers from Plaza Premium Group’s global customer database – Smart Traveller database (71%), Plaza Premium Lounge database (27%), and Aerotel database (2%). It included physical visitors at its lounges and in-terminal hotels, as well as the group’s website and social media channels.

Plaza Premium Group has reconfigured its lounge spaces to encourage privacy and social distancing; below, body temperature measurement is among new hygiene measures introduced across its network

Key findings revealed:

  • · 26% of respondents intend to travel within the next 6-12 months
  • · 59% of respondents will travel as soon as travel bans and restrictions are lifted
  • · 83% of respondents believe that airport lounges and in-terminal hotels will be essential when travel resumes, due to the need for private spaces, as well as hygiene and safety in the airport being of the highest priority
  • · 47% of respondents intend to wash their hands every 1-3 hours while at the airport, and 26% said they would wash their hands every 30 to 60 minutes.

Beyond this, 83% of respondents said that wearing masks is the most effective way of staying safe when travelling, while 75% see hand-sanitiser and alcohol wipes as essential. Other respondents, 23%, intend to boost their immunity pre-flight through nourishing food and supplements, while 55% of respondents said they would social distance and make use of private spaces and facilities.

Plaza Premium offers individually pre-portioned made to order meals in its dining spaces

With travel being reshaped, Plaza Premium Group said it was “redefining its operations” with new safety and hygiene protocols in place. The company has introduced digital initiatives to provide a contactless end-to-end experience, including contactless transactions, QR-code smart order systems for food & beverage providers, e-books and magazines and vending machines for travel essentials, among others.

Consumers can also opt for personalised services when visiting foreign airports, such as fast track and baggage porter services which can minimise time and contact with surfaces.

Towards an enhanced digital journey with contactless experiences at Plaza Premium locations
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