Technology has tremendously changed the world and become an integral part of our lives by making lives easier and more convenient. Constant technological advancements have forayed into the travel industry and revolutionized the way we travel.
Today, nobody doubts that technology and travel have the perfect combination and this joint force plays a crucial role in the modern era. Nowadays, convenient, effervescent, and automated travel is where the future of technology is heading. It is hard to imagine life without technology as traveling has evolved with its advent.
The tasks that used to take days can be completed in minutes with the help of technology. People can now book hotel rooms, flights, sightseeing tours, and other activities and plan entire trips from a mobile device.
According to a report published by Google in 2021, over 70 % of travelers plan their trips on the Internet, while only 13% still use travel agencies to prepare them. This massive transition in the tourism industry is what we now call the new trend of travel tech.
Let’s have a look at some travel technology trends and industry facts coming to us:
AI and Chatbots
Most travel agencies and hotels are leveraging AI-powered solutions to automate to offer personalized services. AI-powered chatbots are one of the most investments as they chatbots provide customers with swift answers to queries on a 24×7 basis in multiple languages, without any manpower. This is quintessential for living up to current customers’ expectations.
Typically, these chatbots are at their best when answering common questions with standard answers. Furthermore, AI tools give insights into consumer behavior, interests, and preferences for better lead generation.
Smart baggage
Smart baggage solutions are going to be the most useful and sought-after trend as millions of bags are mishandled by airlines each year, costing huge losses to businesses and bad experiences to customers. Additionally, the Biometric-enabled bag drop will surely stop baggage mishandling, and the tracking device for frequent flyers will redefine the travel behavior and buying patterns.
Virtual Reality
Technology is the keyword when it comes to travel. The travel and tourism industry is all about selling experiences, and Virtual Reality is definitively the most exciting innovation in travel and tourism marketing today. It enables people to live and experience, albeit for a short time, directly from their living rooms and takes people on a guided tour to anywhere in the world.
Augmented reality (AR)
It allows the seamless overlay of computer graphics and adds functionalities to enhance the perception of reality. It makes the planning journey much more seamless and interactive with digital enhancements over a real-life scenario and allows travelers to stay connected from anywhere and break down language barriers.
Contactless Payments
It has emerged as a key part of tourism marketing amidst the pandemic. The ability to make contactless transactions and process payments much more quickly is another pivotal form of travel tech, as there are many situations where customers do not have access to cash or cards. It acts as a big time saver for customers and travel agencies.
Conclusion:
The world is all set to go mobile and contactless at an incredible rate. From virtual reality to AI, new technology continues to influence the way we plan and execute our travel. Travel tech has revolutionized tourism, and its next chapter will undoubtedly be brilliant.
