The use of travel technology has revolutionised the travel industry and has made things easier not just for the travellers, but for the people in the industry as well. Here are some emerging travel technology trends that are gaining popularity around the world:
Virtual tours from the comfort of your homes
When it comes to selecting a hotel while on vacation, some travellers are very conscious of not just the rooms, but the entire surroundings of the place. To solve this problem, many hotels have started giving virtual tours of their properties to help their customers feel more secure about their choices. There are ample 360 VR videos available online that enable travellers to experience the surroundings of a place virtually.
Augmented reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) is another trend that is slowly carving a niche for itself in the industry. Instead of entirely changing a person’s surroundings (like in VR), AR focuses more on altering them by adding a layer of the necessary components. While you need ab elaborate headset for the VR, Augmented Reality can be experienced through a smartphone or a tablet as well. As per reports, some apps are in development that will enable travellers to learn more about a particular tourism spot the moment they point their smartphone or tablet at it. The required information will display on their screens, enabling them to learn more about a particular place.
Controlling everything in a room from a single device
Imagine controlling everything in a room from a single device. This is possible through the Internet of Things (IoT), an emerging technology trend that is gaining more and more popularity as time passes. Under the IoT, various physical devices, connected through the internet, are capable of exchanging data and interacting with each other. This makes it possible for us to control them remotely. Another example of using IoT is the use of voice control devices to set up the lights’ brightness in a room.
Facial Recognition Technology
As can be inferred from its name, Facial Recognition technology tries to confirm a person’s identity by classifying his/her face as per various characteristics such as gender, age, etc. The same technology is used in several smartphones as well when all you have to do is look at your phone and it unlocks. Several countries around the world use facial recognition technology at their airports to verify a passenger’s details.
In August this year, Delhi and Bengaluru airports made headlines for deploying facial recognition to automate passenger entry and verification at various touchpoints. A beta version of the app, known as DigiYatra, was rolled out for passengers to pave way for a quicker travel experience for people.
AI Chatbots
At times, it is not possible to respond to a travellers’ query instantly due to several factors. The AI Chatbots are super useful in these situations as they provide customers with quick resolutions 24/7. These bots are used best while answering questions that have a standard answer.
Robotics
There is no doubt that robotics is a field that is constantly evolving and generates a lot of curiosity among travellers. There are several hotels that deploy robots to greet customers, handle luggage, provide information to tourists, and so on. Another remarkable innovation that has made headlines in the past is a suitcase that follows the travellers on its own thereby eliminating the hassles of carrying a suitcase around on your trips.
With so much happening around the world, we are living in fascinating times and it won’t be wrong to say that the travel industry is on the brink of a technological revolution.
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