Amongst the worst hit industry verticals, travel and hotel industry remain at the forefront with travel plans both business and recreational have completely taken a backseat at the global launch of worldwide lockdown that has by far remained the most efficient means to deter further spread of the contagious virus.
With businesses remaining exceptionally low, downsizing company workforce continues to remain the most obvious choice amongst leading businesses to remain afloat.
Several travel hotspots such as Norway tourism which has been at the helm of global tourism has been demonstrating steep declines in the last couple of months. Norway tourism is one of the most booming sectors and has been a constant contributor to the country's GDP growth.
It also represents a sturdy employment ratio of over 6%, of the total workforce across industries. However, despite an exceptionally alluring business outlook, Norway tourism is depicting one of the most sluggish growth phases in current times, as it is complying with the mandatory distancing protocols to arrest further spread.
From mid March this year, all border connecting roads in Norway have been shut for the non-residents and tourists. However, government and regulatory bodies are constantly appealing to limit domestic travel only to essential and unavoidable travel needs, thus travel and hotel industries are facing tremendous brunt, and the pattern is anticipated to remain so in the foreseeable future, until the COVID-19 curve flattens completely.
However, despite testing times, hotels are experimenting with alternative income sources. As offices are fast closing facilities, hotels are offering their rooms for makeshift office space.
One case in this regard is Clarion Hotel in Trondheim which is one of the first hotels to rent out rooms for offices. IN the far end, hopeful hoteliers and travel guides are opining that a sturdy footfall of domestic travel mongers during the summer would elevate the current position substantially as the pandemic slowly recedes.