There is no doubt that travel and technology go hand in hand. Such a combined force plays a vital role in deciding how we travel: from where we travel to even when we reach home from our adventures. Even Google states that around 74 percent of all travelers book their trips and vacations through the internet. But for some individuals that prefer nature and the outdoors, it is common for them to book their trips with the guides and tools they get from theexpertcamper.co.uk.
In contrast, only a meager 13 percent use a travel agent to do so. Millennials also continue to play an essential role in such a paradigm shift. Their love for traveling and their passion for technology are profound. Such a combined interest gives way to new contexts where blogs, apps, and social media ultimately decide when to go on a vacation.
That said, business owners in the travel industry are aware of technology and its importance and continues to adopt it into their business models one way or another. In order to stay relevant in this digital era, restaurants, hotels, airlines, and other organizations need to keep up with the most recent tech trends within the travel industry. This article will share some of these tech trends with you and how they influence the travel industry in today’s day and age.
Voice control and voice search
Intelligent speakers, AI assistants, and smartphones are all helping to increase the relevance of voice search n tourism-related activities. Notably, an ever-growing number of travelers now utilize voice search to book hotel rooms and airline tickets and search for places to create a better travel experience. It is, therefore, vital for travel businesses to develop a website keeping voice search optimization n mind if they want to capitalize on such a trend.
On top of that, voice control also plays an essential role in a consumer’s actual traveling experience. Placed inside hotel rooms are voice-controlled devices that can do anything from turn on the lights to air conditioning. It is likely to expand to other areas of the travel industry as well.
Management and monitoring applications
Hotels now employ housekeeping companies to improve the service standards they provide to guests. With the help of mobile housekeeping app, staff and cleanliness are easier to manage in peak travel seasons. Not only does this make stays more enjoyable for guests, but it also increases customer satisfaction levels for hotels and resorts. It effectively translates to better business for the entire travel ecosystem.
Notably, technology also makes it ever so easy for us to monitor all our activities and stay one step ahead of everyone else. With the help of surveillance apps and housekeeping services, you can rest assured that you’ll find your home safe and as clean as a whistle when you get back from your vacation. No need to worry about cleaning your house or washing the clothes you left behind anymore!
Robots
Robotic tech is the most thrilling travel technology and is continually evolving at an alarming rate. For instance, inside hotels, you can find robots greeting guests when they arrive, provide them with information, or act as concierges. Some hotels are still expanding their usage of robots, employing them in luggage handling and cleaning tasks.
Inside restaurants, robots can potentially play a vital role in food preparation and service. They can help find concealed weapons at airports. Some luggage companies are manufacturing smart luggage that follows you without you even touching it. Furthermore, travel agents now use robots to screen customers and make their wait times a little more productive. As with various other travel-based technological trends, robot usage is at an all-time high, as they can reduce human-to-human contact.
VR (Virtual Reality)
VR is ever-present in various industries. However, its role in the travel sector is a far more significant one. After all, VR allows travelers to experience far away locations from their home’s comfort and without actually setting foot inside another country. Through virtual reality tours, consumers can experience anything from museums to national parks to landmarks to hotels and even the Seven Wonders of the World.
The immersion and interactivity of a virtual visit can also help travel companies gain a competitive advantage over rivals who aren’t utilizing VR to their advantage. Most VR 360-degree tours are compatible with various web browsers these days and allow covid-affected people or reluctant travelers to experience the world.
Contactless payments
Another significant travel-based tech trend is contactless payments. It allows travel companies, hotels, and travelers to process payments faster, especially when travelers don’t want to carry hard cash. Eventually, it will also end up improving their customer’s experience, as contactless payment saves time.
Contactless payment started as a huge convenience. However, it emerged as a vital part of any travel company’s marketing efforts after the Covid-19 pandemic. With more travelers getting nervous about handling physical cash and contracting the virus, using contactless payments can protect them from unnecessary physical interactions.
AI chatbots
AI chatbots provide travelers with swift, quick answers and are available 24/7, no matter the availability of physical staff. Chatbots are vital to improving the customer experience, especially for those who don’t like waiting for a travel company’s or hotel’s support staff to pick up the phone. Typically these chatbots provide the answer to FAQs. And advancements in AI tech lead to these chatbots continuously growing and evolving with improved interactions regarding complex queries.
Recognition technology
Recognition technology is vital because it can eliminate friction from the purchase process and promote seamless interactions. The technology includes facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, retinal scanning, and other types of biometric identifications. Such technology sees utilization in the travel industry inside hotels, allowing travelers to access their hotel rooms through fingerprint recognition. Additionally, recognition technology will enable customers to pay for their food at the hotel restaurant when they walk out through the exit door.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in travel management. More and more travel companies are susceptible to cyber-attacks and data breaches. Travel companies are the primary target because they hire tons of people and have quick access to countless customer data.
Some of the most common cybersecurity threats include ransomware and phishing. At the same time, reliance on data leaves companies at risk from human errors too. Such a thing requires investment in hardware and software solutions and cybersecurity training programs to keep the company safe from such threats.
Conclusion
Companies that operate in the travel industry need to stay abreast of the latest technological developments. Adopting and understanding the trends shared in today’s article will allow any travel business to provide their customers with a better experience, optimize revenue management, and improve general business performance.