Read the following passage and answer the given questions. The travel and tourism industry has traditionally been a significant contributor to the glo...

Read the following passage and answer the given questions. The travel and tourism industry has traditionally been a significant contributor to the global economy. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it accounted for nearly 10.4% of the world’s GDP and supported millions of jobs across sectors such as airlines, hotels, transport, and tourism agencies. Continuous growth in both domestic and international travel ensured sustained profits for many companies. This momentum was abruptly halted with the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020. As lockdowns, border closures, and travel bans were enforced worldwide, the industry suffered severe losses. Global passenger traffic declined by over 60% that year. The financial impact was especially harsh on small and medium-sized operators, many of whom had never faced such disruption in the last two decades. A compelling example is SunWings Travels, a regional bus service provider. Before the pandemic, the company was struggling with poor occupancy — only 62 passengers per week on average. Operations ceased entirely during the lockdown, pushing the business toward potential shutdown. However, SunWings made a bold decision to revamp its model. The management handled the crisis with commendable poise, focusing on long-term viability rather than short-term losses. They invested in contactless ticketing, improved air filtration systems, and implemented strict hygiene protocols. The company also trained staff and collaborated with certified lodging partners to ensure safety. These efforts aligned with the growing demand for safe and reliable road travel. As air travel remained limited, __________________ regional transport options. By the end of 2022, SunWings had more than doubled its weekly passengers and saw a 35% increase in revenue compared to its pre-COVID figures. Encouraged by this turnaround, the company further increased investment in fleet expansion and digital infrastructure. The post-COVID travel business reflects a shift in priorities: safety, flexibility, and digitisation now dominate consumer preferences. Companies that responded with innovation and resilience, like SunWings Travels, have not only recovered but expanded. The pandemic served as a test of adaptability, and those who navigated it with strategic foresight are now leading the road to recovery.
Choose the most appropriate phrase to fill in the blank in the following sentence from the passage:
"These efforts aligned with the growing demand for safe and reliable road travel. As air travel remained limited, ______________ regional transport options."