Technology is having a huge impact on how we all move. Adarsh explores his 10 ways technological advances have left an indelible mark on travel.
Travel has always been a booming industry, barring a temporary hiatus during the pandemic. Whether for business or leisure, people are constantly on the move, jetting from point A to point B.
In fact, a World Tourism Organization report estimates that by 2030, the world population of 8.5 billion will make about 2 billion international trips. That’s a lot of travel!
Convenience has always been the name of the game and the same is true for the travel industry.
- Modern clients want faster help than ever before
- Consumers expect a seamless experience when interacting with brands across channels
- Customers respond positively to personalized content and services
Like most other industries, advances in technology have greatly changed the way people move. In fact, technology advances make traveling easier every year. Here are 10 ways technology has impacted the travel industry.
1. Travel apps
Travel apps have transformed the lives of travelers. Whether you’re booking flights, trains, or hotels, these apps have settings and filters for every requirement and budget. Apart from booking and reservations, these apps also offer suggestions such as where to eat and what to see while traveling. Most apps have city and country-specific travel recommendations and do’s and don’ts to help first-time visitors.
While not strictly a travel app, Maps is also a godsend for travelers. Whether you’re driving or hiking, Maps will keep you on your way and help you find your destination at any time without a navigator.
2. Travel Assist Chatbot
Chatbots are taking travel convenience to the next level. It allows travelers to talk to customer care executives and artificial intelligence via a chat interface. Employing AI, chatbots can instantly answer the most frequently asked questions.Travelers can check rates, availability and book directly.
If the AI can’t answer your question, you can pass the request to a customer care executive. Chatbots give the travel industry the tools to provide travelers with the right answers at the right time.
3. Electronic payment
UPI and cashless transactions are used across all industries, but are especially useful for travelers. It’s convenient because you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash or worry about losing your card. Furthermore, apart from the convenience, there is also the safety aspect as well as the traveler not having to worry about theft. This also saves you the trouble of waiting in long lines and deciphering a foreign language to pull out his ATM outside the station.
4. Personalized experience
In all service industries, personalized experiences take precedence over generalized options. And when it comes to vacation planning, curated travel is the buzzword. Everyone has a different agenda when planning a trip. As such, these personalized experiences ensure that each trip is tailored to the traveler’s requirements.
There is a lot of negative sentiment on social media, but it is very helpful when it comes to travel advice. Check out Instagram and Facebook and you’ll find plenty of hotel, restaurant and transportation options in different cities and countries. Many ideas and inspiration come from fellow travelers as well as budget-friendly accommodations and places to eat. With the growing influence of travel, social media is flooded with options and ideas.
6. Language barrier
There was a time when traveling to a foreign language country meant facing all kinds of confusion and inconvenience. With apps like Google Translate, you can instantly translate messages and easily converse with locals. The app can also translate signs and menus in real time. Aside from that, there are apps like Duolingo that can help you learn the basics of any language in no time, so if you really want to, you can be sure you’ve got the basics down before you even land at your destination.
7. Remote work
Remote work has become a common sight, especially since Covid-19. Due to the mixture of work and travel, more and more people are choosing to work remotely. Better technology makes it even more convenient. A laptop and good Wi-Fi is all you need to work out in the mountains or on the beach. In fact, in the absence of Wi-Fi, people use hotspots for meetings and missions. Thanks to this arrangement, people no longer even have to quit their jobs to travel.
8. Packing routine
You may not realize it, but technology is helping us pack less. You no longer need a music player to listen to music. All you need is a Spotify or iTunes account. The same goes for other gadgets like cameras and video recorders, all on your smartphone. As for books, you don’t have to carry them around anymore. Having a kindle or carrying PDFs on a tablet can save a lot of space in your luggage.
9. AR & VR
Virtual reality (VR) in travel lets you explore new places virtually. Virtual tours are available before you book your hotel or dinner, before you book your room or restaurant.
You’ve always been able to check out videos on YouTube, but VR makes you feel like you’re there. You can also take room tours and visit various hotel facilities using Augmented Reality (AR). Applicable everywhere. In fact, you can check out the plane to make sure your carry-on is the right size. With further development in this area, it will become an integral part of future travel.
10. Green travel
Most appointments and reservations are done online, which saves a lot of paper by eliminating the need for hard copies. The same applies to airline tickets, boarding passes, hotel reservations, etc. This may not seem like a big deal, but every little thing matters as we face an uphill battle to save the environment.
Can you think of other ways technology has made travel easier? Let us know in the comments.
