The Evolving Travel Industry
April 13, 2022
by Kelly Knox
As a convener of thought leaders in the Los Angeles community, we are pleased to welcome Kelly Knox, Senior Community Outreach Regional Manager at Southwest Airlines, as the guest author of this week’s Business Perspective.
As the world emerges from the hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear a lot has changed – including aspects of air travel. But one thing which hasn’t changed is people’s desire to connect with family in-person, celebrate life’s milestones with loved ones, and explore new destinations. As California’s largest carrier, we at Southwest see this firsthand as Southwest flies more passengers to, from, and within the state of California than any other airline.
Our focus in our ever-changing industry is airlines must adapt business practices to meet evolving travel needs. Some airlines reduced or suspended operations, but Southwest experimented with adding 18 new destinations to its California route map, providing travelers the opportunity to explore new destinations within the state. Customers responded by taking full advantage of those new routes, showing that even through the uncertainty of the last two years, people are travelling just as much, if not more, than ever before. Those working in travel and tourism are now using that information to fit this new industrial mold, making airlines and travel companies evolve even further.
The pandemic and the economy it created aren’t the only issues airlines and the travel industry are tackling. As we continue to see evidence of climate change through wildfires and droughts, we understand the role the travel industry must play in environmental sustainability. Southwest and the entire airline industry developed tangible steps toward a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and created a carbon offset program where customers can purchase offsets that support global projects. Going forward, don’t be surprised to see airlines put greater emphasis on regenerative tourism opportunities for travelers in the hopes that visitors will leave a place better than they found it.
Southwest airlines and the travel industry has had a love for the golden state for over 40 years and are committed to helping the hospitality industry thrive in a sustainable manner.
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