Methods, technologies, good practices, case studies used in the implementation

VOICE SEARCH & VOICE CONTROL

Smartphones, smart speakers and AI assistants have all helped to increase the relevance of voice search as far as technology trends in the travel industry are concerned. In particular, a growing number of travel customers are using voice search to find and book airline tickets, hotel rooms and travel experiences.

It is, therefore, crucial to design your website with voice search in mind, so that you can capitalise on this trend.

On top of this, voice control is also playing a growing role in actual travel experiences too. Within hotel rooms, voice-controlled devices can be used to control lighting and heating within rooms or to obtain tourist information without needing to speak to a member of staff. This is likely to continue to expand into other areas of the industry too.

ROBOTS

Robotics technology is one of the most exciting forms of travel technology and it is constantly improving. Within hotels, for example, robots have been used in concierge-like roles, helping to greet guests when they arrive and provide information. Some hotels have expanded their use further still, involving them in cleaning and luggage handling.

Within restaurants, robots can potentially have a role in food preparation and food service. In airports, they can be used to detect concealed weapons, while some manufacturers are also using robotics to create luggage cases that intelligently follow you. Moreover, travel agents are using robots for pre-screening, making waiting times more productive for customers.

As with many other technology trends within the travel industry, the uses for robots have actually increased in response to COVID, especially as they have the potential to reduce human-to-human contact.

CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS

Another important form of travel tech is the ability to accept contactless payments. This will allow travel companies to process payments much more quickly, including in situations where customers do not have access to cash or their credit or debit card. It can also enhance the customer experience, because it is a time saver.

The availability of contactless payments started as a convenience, but it has emerged as a key part of tourism marketing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. With tourists nervous about the spread of the virus, many are reluctant to handle cash. Using contactless payments as much as possible can also protect your own staff.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

Virtual reality has been an emerging technology in a number of different sectors, but its role within the tourism industry is especially significant. After all, it provides tourists with the ability to experience far away locations from the comfort of their own home and can be the difference in whether they ultimately complete a booking.

Using VR tours, customers can experience everything from virtual hotels tours and restaurants, to landmarks, national parks or even specific activities. The interactivity and immersion can also help to provide you with a competitive advantage over rivals who are not yet making the most of these kinds of tech trends. Most VR tours or 360 tours are now compatible with mainstream web browsers and can help those who are still reluctant to travel to see the benefits more clearly.

AI CHATBOTS

AI-powered chatbots can be one of the single most sensible travel technology investments you can make, because these chatbots are able to provide customers with swift answers to questions on a 24/7 basis, regardless of staff availability. This can be essential for living up to current expectations on customer service.

Typically, these chatbots are at their best when answering common questions, which have standard answers. Yet, advances to AI technology mean modern chatbots continually improve as they have more and more interactions. They can also be especially good at responding to queries about policies and other measures or procedures.

CYBERSECURITY MEASURES

Cybersecurity is a major focus area for those in travel management roles, because companies in the industry are increasingly at risk from cyber-attacks and also more vulnerable to data breaches of other kinds. Travel companies are a major target, because they employ lots of people and have access to an abundance of customer data.

Some of the biggest threats in this area include phishing attacks and ransomware attacks, although the modern reliance on data also leaves companies at risk from human error caused by their own employees too. This requires investment in cybersecurity training and various hardware and software solutions to keep your business safe. It is also important to keep up with the latest regulations and to comply with data protection laws.

INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) 

One of the most exciting emerging travel technology trends is the Internet of Things (IoT), which involves internet-based interconnectivity between everyday devices, allowing them to both send and receive data. Already, we are seeing examples of its role within the travel and tourism industry and this is only going to increase.

For instance, IoT technology can be used in hotel rooms to provide customers with a device that connects to everything from the lights, to the heaters and air conditioning, allowing all to be controlled from one place. In airports, meanwhile, luggage cases can be installed with sensors that will alert passengers when they pass by.

RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Finally, recognition technology is especially interesting within this list of key tech trends, due to its potential for removing friction from purchases and making interactions seamless. The technology itself includes fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, retina scanning and various other biometric identifiers.

Such technology is already being used in some hotels to allow access to rooms via fingerprints or to allow for semi-contactless check-outs. However, in the future, it is hoped that this technology may be able to allow customers to pay for meals in the hotel restaurant simply by walking through the exit.

AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)

Augmented reality is similar to virtual reality, but involves augmenting a person’s real surroundings, rather than replacing them. One of the major plus points of this particular technological trend is that it is cheaper than VR, with users requiring only a smartphone or tablet device which has access to the internet.

Through graphical overlays, those in the tourism industry can greatly enhance the customer experience, providing customers with valuable information or even pure entertainment. For instance, apps can allow for photographs to be augmented through filters and effects. Details about local destinations can also be displayed as a customer points their smartphone at them, providing information at the exact time that it is most relevant.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Away from robots, artificial intelligence is being used in other ways too. Perhaps the most obvious use within the travel and tourism industry is for customer service purposes, with chatbots possessing the ability to deliver rapid response times to problems or queries. It is also able to continuously learn from interactions with customers.

In addition, hotels and other companies operating in the tourism industry can make use of artificial intelligence to accurately and continuously sort through data. It will be able to draw conclusions about business performance or trends associated with customer satisfaction and even intelligently manage inventories.

METAVERSE & TRAVEL

Another of the technology trends travel industry businesses need to be aware of is the growth of the metaverse. This expands upon virtual reality and augmented reality technology, providing a digital environment where social interactions can take place. This allows users to interact with others while exploring digital recreations of travel destinations. In the article “Metaverse Travel: How the Metaverse Will Change the Travel Industry“, you can explore this topic in greater depth and learn about the impact that metaverse technology is already having on travel.

NFTS ENTER THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY

NFTs are a significant technology trend in general, but also one of the technology trends travel industry stakeholders must become familiar with. NFTs are digital assets that exist on the blockchain and represent unique digital items. NFTs are often associated with digital art, and some in the industry are already partnering with local artists in mutually beneficial ways, but the technology can also power customer loyalty schemes too. In the article “NFT Travel: Learn About NFT Technology in the Travel Industry“, you can gain a more complete overview of NFT technology and learn about how it is being deployed within the travel industry.

Source: 13 Key Technology Trends Emerging in the Travel Industry in 2023 (revfine.com)