#FightCOVID19 was a battle cry to Finnish travel and tourism industry to fight back the effects of the outbreak

As of today, it is already clear that the year 2020 will be an unforgettable year for the travel industry. Starting from mid-January the global travel business has been heavily impacted by the outbreak of the new COVID-19 virus a.k.a “coronavirus”. According to a study conducted by Business Finland (published 18.02.20), approximately half of the business managers are expecting to see some effect and a third are expecting a negative or very negative effect to their business caused by the outbreak. 

We’re all aware of the shadow the situation has cast over the travel business in Finland. But the travel industry businesses can fight back and survive, even thrive and find new business models and revenue models if we innovate new business – ask yourself: Do you want to make money or sense? 

Fact-based discussion and future solutions

We invited our industrial colleagues and media to join us for an admission-free seminar to discuss first-hand information regarding the impact of the outbreak, following effects to the Finnish travel industry, near-future trends, and how to turn this “crisis” into an opportunity! Just as every coin has two sides, while we are waiting for the situation and travel market to recover, there is no better time than now to innovate new solutions and to prepare for the new rise of the Chinese Market after the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic has been won. 

Kuvat: Tomi Tähti, Eventphotos.fi.

Presentations by Timetravels Group, www.timetravels.group

First-hand insights, what is going on in China? – Answers from Industry leaders in China 

Head of Business unit, Greater China area, Joy Wang from Timetravels Incoming ltd. delivered the facts and insights on the topic: What is going on in China?  You can find the presentation slides below.

The effects of the outbreak on the tourism industry in Finland

Teemu Kyllonen, Timetravels CEO took us on a data-driven journey to have a closer look at the current tourism data in Finland which is affected by COVID-19 in different industries.  Please find the presentation slides below. 

Future scenarios and solutions to adopt for your business

Lacey Yang from TAO Travel Advisory walked us through some likely future scenarios and predictions: which part of the Chinese travel market will recover first and concrete solution models as the mobile-first approach, service innovation, and design. Ideas on how to prepare your business to be ready for the rebound. Please find the presentation slided below. 

Turning crisis into opportunity

A crisis is a blessing in disguise, a real-life survival story of a Travel Agency entrepreneur Mikko Koistinen, Aikamatkat Oy, Chairman of the board, Tampere. Please find the presentation slides below. 

Would you like to discuss further strategies and solutions to adopt to your business?

TAO Travel Advisory is a project created by a small team of passionate Finnish and Chinese Travel Industry professionals from backgrounds such as: B2B Chinese and Asian sales, DMC operations experience of 6 years and 10 years of Strategy, Marketing & Service Product Design and process development. We are here to help you to develop and innovate new business models that comply with the target group consuming behaviour, in their native language. Please find our service product mini-portfolio below.

More information and comments: 

• • Lacey Yang, Deputy Managing Director, TAO Travel Advisory (ENG/CN)  +358 46 537 8376
  • Maija Ojanperä, Head of Communications, Timetravels Incoming & TAO Travel Advisory (ENG/FIN) +358 50 385 8020