Technology is arguably the most essential feature of every industry globally, and the sector of travel and tourism is no exception.
From providing businesses with day-to-day solutions to improving the customer experience for general travelers, the latest innovations in tech continue to optimize the travel experience.
As a result, all airlines, hotels, restaurants, and other travel and tourism companies must do all they can to remain up to date with the latest technologies.
The aim of travel technology is to make the experience seamless for customers, reduce costs, save time, and automate processes. Detailed below are some of the top tech trends in the travel industry.
1. AI Chatbots
AI chatbots are arguably the most sensible travel technology investments to be made by a company. This is because chatbots provide consumers with the answers they need in a 24/7 capacity, which isn’t as easily achieved with human staff.
The existing expectations when it comes to customer service are higher than they’ve ever been, which is why AI chatbots are required to adhere to these expectations.
Currently, chatbots are best equipped to answer common questions with standard answers; however, the technology is becoming more and more advanced, allowing for better interaction in the future.
2. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality has become a feature of many industries, including that of travel and tourism. This is because VR provides travellers with a snapshot of a location before they commit to it, opening their eyes to the reality of a developing country or displaying the luxury of an exclusive location.
The problem that most tourists face is that there are too many locations that they’d like to visit, making it nearly impossible to whittle down their options into one location.
VR makes this decision-making process a whole lot easier, as prospective tourists will be able to virtually visit landmarks, restaurants, and any other notable location within the chosen destination.
3. Contactless Payments
The prominence of cash is slowly fading, as is the notion of placing your debit/credit card into a machine and entering your pin. Instead, contactless payments are common, wherein consumers either tap their card on a screen or do the same thing with their phones.
This method of payment has meant that travel and tourism companies are able to process payments at a faster rate, making their lives easier and saving the time of the customer.
Similarly, the coronavirus pandemic heightened our awareness of germs, and contactless payment is the most hygienic form of making transactions.
4. Robots
Robots are some of the most advanced additions to the travel industry, such as concierge robots that greet guests and provide them with the necessary information.
Other hotels have taken this one step further by having robots conduct luggage handling and cleaning processes. Meanwhile, more and more restaurants are using robots for means of food preparation, and airports are making ample use of weapon-detecting robots.
Additionally, manufacturers are using robots to create luggage that follows the user and travel agents are making use of pre-screening robots for the purpose of reducing wait times.
5. Voice Control and Voice Search
Last but not least are voice control and voice search, which allows people to effortlessly search for travel experiences, hotel rooms, and airline tickets. This is one of the most accessible forms of searching, which is why it’s imperative that travel and tourism sites allow a voice search option.
It’s not just search engines that are making the most of voice control; hotel rooms can now be told to switch on their lights or adjust their temperature. This is another feature that allows for a seamless experience.
