7 Ways Technology is Changing the Travel Industry

When we talk about technology and the tourism industry, we should have words like disruption, modernization, tech platforms, big data, robotization, and artificial intelligence in mind. There is a lot going on in the world of technology that helps in high business ROI for the travel industry, which is having a huge impact on some industries like tourism and travel agencies.
Ignoring it can lead to the slow death of the business. So, let’s take a look at seven basic IT changes that affect travel agent revenue.

Internet and its use

Internet rules in the 21st century! The fact is that everything you do has to go through the web. Extensive public use of the World Wide Web has led to many situations that have remained like game-changers, giving agencies a huge advantage as well as some detrimental avenues. One way or another, at the end of the day, the Internet is helping to create a modern travel agency. So, a travel agency has to transform into a business and stay afloat!

New Targeted Customers

One way to do this is to create a new kind of relationship between the travel agency and the client. Using platforms such as the Internet and social media, and taking advantage of better communication, travel agencies have expanded the way they communicate not only with customers but also through their business networks and partner services.
In this way, the data is available in seconds and visible to everyone, transforming a process that takes a few hours, makes things happen faster, increases productivity, and reduces dead time. At the end of the day, travel agency clients are happier.

Start building a social media presence

Social media doesn’t fade away. So, travel agents and agencies need to “get a personality” in this new world. In other words, it is important to build a social media presence and incorporate social media into marketing and communication strategies as soon as possible.
Social media is an important tool nowadays. Major businesses are already using it to increase brand awareness and customer relationships with some great results. So, why don’t you start using it now?

Mobile Technology

With portability and increased convenience that enable customers to find, compare, and book trips on the go, tourists themselves have undergone tremendous changes in the way they interact with the tourism industry and travel agencies.
The problem with this is that mobility is demanding 24/7 booking service and customers are not accepting less than that. Once again, travel agencies have to adapt to the rapid changes in this reality.

Artificial Intelligence —

Big data, robotics, virtual and artificial intelligence
The data is growing exponentially, according to IDC figures, and will double every two years in the next decade. This happens in every industry and tourism is not unfamiliar with this reality: a large amount of customer data at the disposal of travel agencies allows for more comprehensive analysis and efficient predictions based on behavioral information.

On the other hand, intelligent virtual assistants are increasingly being integrated into mobile devices and messaging apps, ensuring that travel agencies can truly deliver on-demand services that will delight customers.
Robotics is also something to keep in mind, as they could play a big role in disrupting the travel industry in the coming years.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) promises significant improvements in the tourism industry. It integrates sensors connected to the Internet into items such as cars, suitcases, buildings, and more.

In fact, Spain’s Hotel Technology Institute (Instituto Technologico Hotelero, or ITH) has confirmed that the Internet of Things will “be a major transformative factor in personalizing the customer experience in the coming years.”

Some Virgin Hotel properties offer their customers an app that lets them interact with a room thermostat or control a room’s television. There are also some suitcases that have devices that allow the user to use the cellphone to track where their suitcase is at any time to avoid missing luggage at airports or other public places.

Virtual Technology —

Virtual reality allows agencies to “transport” customers to the place of their dreams, where they can take guided tours of hotels located thousands and thousands of miles away. It’s a fantastic experience that no one should go without.

Voice Search

Smartphones, smart speakers and artificial intelligence assistants have helped increase the relevance of voice search in terms of technology trends in the travel industry. In particular, an increasing number of travel customers use voice search to find and book tickets, hotel rooms and travel experiences.

That’s why it’s so important to design your website with voice search to take advantage of this trend.

On top of that, voice control also plays an increasing role in real travel experiences. Voice-controlled devices in hotel rooms can be used to control the lighting and heating in rooms or to obtain tourism information without the need to talk to a staff member. It is likely that this industry will continue to expand in other areas.

Contactless payments

Another form of travel technology is the ability to accept contactless payments. This will allow travel companies to make payments faster, even when customers are short of cash or credit or debit cards. It can also enhance the customer experience because it saves time.

The existence of contactless payments began as a convenience, but emerged as a major part of travel marketing after the coronavirus pandemic. Many tourists are reluctant to use cash because they are nervous about the spread of the virus. Using contactless payments as much as possible can also protect your employees.

Biometrics

With the rise of border control and security issues, face, fingerprint and iris recognition are now seen as ways to enhance airport security practices around the world. The United States has recently installed automatic passenger control (APC) kiosks to reduce arrivals at airports, including LAX, JFK, Orlando and O’Hare. The kiosks show passengers photos and fingerprints and match the results with the biometric data stored in their passports.

The kiosks can now be used by US and Canadian citizens as well as foreign travelers registered with the Trusted Traveler program. Similar systems have recently been installed at Varna and Burgos airports in Bulgaria and major Australian airports. In the UK, more than 100 e-passport gates are used in 18 terminals.

Augmented reality

I had a free Saturday a few months ago, so I got in my car and drove to Princeton in New Jersey. It’s a beautiful campus, but I know very little about its history. So I took out my phone and checked Google Maps. The building I admired was said to be part of a battle in the Revolutionary War. If I looked at a certain point in the front, there were still holes in the bricks that could be opened by artillery fire.

In what previous world would I have learned this alone? Of course, I could join a tour group, but I would make this walk look like something like a seat in my pants. I would have enjoyed a smartphone before Princeton, but I would have learned a little less.

The augmented reality that the Internet has brought to our reality is astonishing. Not limited to Google Maps: The Pokémon Go frenzy drove people out of their homes and explored their cities.

Individualization

Innovations in technology such as cloud computing and Big Data have allowed tourism companies to offer customers individual packages based on their preferences and affordability.

This, in turn, helps tourism companies increase their work. Without having to go through destinations, packages or other travel options, travel companies can offer travelers exactly what they are looking for and are provided with this technology.

In addition to using technology such as cloud computing and Big Data to offer travelers what they are looking for, travel companies can also offer packages and discounts tailored to the needs and preferences of users for future promotions.

Although incredibly technologically savvy, the modern traveler may be affected by the amount of information available to explore and book trips or vacations. By using technology to personalize travel for customers, travel companies can make it incredibly comfortable for travelers, which can only be good for business.

Increased Communication and Transparency

In the past, getting what you wanted was a challenge for travelers and people who wanted to list their property as a vacation home. Landlords were concerned about the safety of their homes and the potential to satisfy tenants. On the other hand, travelers want to ensure that their money is well spent and that they get the service they want.

By providing continuous communication between all parties involved, the technology was able to travel for travelers, property owners and travel agency / service.

In addition to providing better communication, technology has made travel more transparent. Travelers can now look at pictures, look at ratings, and read reviews of the vacation destination they want to travel to. On the other hand, property owners are assured that the transaction is secure and that their property is in safe hands.

Technology has helped increase trust between travelers and the people / services that allow them to travel. None of the parties are afraid to cheat or buy peanuts instead of steak.

Social Customer Service

Customer service is one of the most important things in every business and market, but it is very important in the travel industry. After all, travel is not cheap, and people expect a lot from travel or vacation because they pay a lot of money for it.

Today, customer service in the travel industry has shifted from traditional channels to cheaper platforms such as social networking sites.

Every step of the journey, from offering a package to tracking luggage, is delivered to customers via social media today.

Thanks to social media, travel companies / services can provide customers with real-time updates on flights, room availability, or anything else that may affect travel plans.

Technology improves travel and makes it comfortable in many ways. I love all the ways technology can penetrate my life. I will surely adopt early; but you have to keep your head up — new technology is being applied every day.

Other Devices

2022 will be the year we learn whether wearable items are the next big thing or whether they are old news. Although tests by organizations, including Virgin Atlantic and Copenhagen Airport, have suggested that the product may still have a future among the professional workforce, Google Glass has quietly retired.

However, with the Apple Watch likely to become more fashionable and potentially popular, the consumer market for worn-out items has not yet died. Airlines, including Iberia and airberlin, already offer smartwatch boarding tickets, and Starwood Hotels has announced an app that will allow guests to open their rooms with the Apple Watch.

The watch itself promises to simplify pedestrian navigation around cities by buzzing silently to let users know they have to turn left or right so you don’t look like a tourist who doesn’t know their way.