The travel industry expects demand to exponentially grow this year and the next so key players must stay current in dealing with this surge. Consumers are more inclined to book international tour packages as many millennial and Generation Z travelers are more interested in immersing themselves abroad. This creates ample opportunities for every area of the international travel industry, warranting the use of more efficient ways to serve this growing demographic.
New technology offers the right solutions for improving quality and convenience while ensuring privacy and data security as reliance on more sophisticated tools grows. From last year, the industry has seen a wider adoption of emerging approaches to cater to the evolving needs of the international market. From resorts to travel agencies, every member of this essential sector will benefit largely from emerging tools.
Here’s a list of a few of these that are worth checking….
Impact of Latest Technology on the Travel Industry
1. Using machine learning to improve security and efficiency
With growing investments in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence, the sector is expected to adopt platforms that allow them to automate tasks such as marketing and customer service as well as aid in critical decision-making.
Using AI, executives can analyze recurring problems in the supply chain and generate actionable solutions to issues that slow down productivity and create costly problems related to cash flow management.
What’s more, AI-powered tools play a critical role in protecting consumers and institutions from the expensive effects of data breaches and hacking. With data security becoming a top priority among key players in the international travel sector, maximizing the use of a passport scanner online and implementing a zero-trust policy is crucial.
Facial recognition systems are also becoming more advanced through AI platforms built specifically for enhancing cybersecurity and detecting possible cases of fraud.
2. Creating immersive experiences using virtual and augmented reality
Using VR and AR technology is nothing new but with the emergence of more advanced AI systems, these tools are expected to offer unique and more immersive previews of destinations. These would come in handy for travelers who would like to know whether a certain place is worth exploring before booking a tour.
Travel agencies can use VR and AR tools to help travelers make more informed decisions. Using AR, they can learn more about a place by interacting with digital items while VR gives them a firsthand look at their target destination.
They can opt for a quick 360-degree tour of certain establishments or landmarks and decide whether they would like to experience being there in the real world. All in all, these tools can help improve sales of tour packages and create a more personalized experience that travelers may appreciate.
3. Increasing reliance on cryptocurrencies and contactless payments
While blockchain technology has been around for more than a decade now, it has already penetrated the tourism industry with a few hotels and resorts accepting payments in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This only proves that cryptocurrencies are being utilized more, especially among luxury travelers using Bitcoin to purchase high-end items and experiences.
More importantly, there will be an increase in the use of contactless payments which was amplified in part by the healthcare crisis that transpired in the last few years.
However, this also comes with greater risk as the use of mobile apps, QR codes, and wearable devices can increase consumers’ exposure to cybercrime. In implementing these modes of payment, key players in the travel industry must invest more in complying with data security standards.
Endnote
There’s still so much more than the tech sector has in store for the international travel industry. The ones that are on this list are just the first batch of developments aimed at helping the sector prosper.
