Technology has rapidly transformed business, from how individuals connect with each other to the ways companies deliver products and solutions that meet consumer needs.
NB: This is an analysis by Scott Alvis, chief marketing officer for Amadeus North America.
And technology continues to push the travel industry envelope, from enabling greater connectivity between consumers and suppliers to helping brands offer travelers an experience that is more personalized, convenient, comfortable, cheaper and/or safer.
So what technology-centric developments might be poised to shift the travel industry and the travelers we serve in the coming years? Amadeus’ report, Future Traveller Tribes 2030: Understanding Tomorrow’s Traveller reveals five technology trends set to shape the travel landscape.
1) Continuously connected
Technology will continue to bridge the gap between work and play through 24/7, round-the-clock communications. By 2030, for many the new normal will be known as 5G - the fifth generation mobile network and a quantum leap in connection speeds.
And consumers’ decision-making will be driven by these connection speeds. For travelers, in-flight cashless payments, real-time tracking of flight progress, and HD video streaming will continue to enter the mainstream, thus improving efficiencies and customers’ experiences.
At the same time, superstructures of connectivity will help support growing demands for instant communication, and further activate the Internet of Things, potentially allowing for driverless transportation modes, smart cities and connected homes.
2) Devices: on the go and in-the-know
No matter technology’s evolution, one thing that is certain is that the devices of tomorrow will be highly portable and will interact with the billions of other connected devices around the world.
Whatever form they take, new generations of consumer devices will enable vast amounts of data to be retrieved instantly and accurately on the go and will integrate themselves seamlessly into the lives of their owners.
The accessibility and affordability of these devices will also increase, further extending its physical and technological reach to the masses.
3) Computers learn human
Automation and robotization are set to transform the workforce of 2030.
As consumer-facing technologies look to feature more organic interfaces and use natural language processes, technology devices will inherently behave more like humans.
This will result in a greater number of roles being staffed by search algorithms, robotic bellhops, cashless payment systems and virtual customer service avatars.
While the desire for automation and greater efficiencies in the workplace increases, the main challenge will lie in balancing a mechanized world and one that holds onto authentic human interactions.
For travel providers, a deep understanding of how to properly strike a balance between the two will be essential.
4) The business of sensing
New devices are not only able to collect larger amounts of data but are doing so in a more precise and ambitious manner.
Emerging technologies can harvest biosignals that understand human moods, responses and emotions. Scanning technologies are reaching heightened levels of decoding information using algorithms.
For businesses, these technologies offer greater opportunities to learn about customers and deliver personalized offers.
More broadly, sensing technologies will become more personal, as biometric capabilities are incorporated throughout the traveler’s journey such as airport security, payments methods and tracking systems.
Airports, for example, might use this information to offer travelers’ seamless check-in and better security experiences without jeopardizing safety.
5) Changing reality
By 2030, virtual reality will be prevalent. While it won’t serve as a substitute for “the real thing,” brands will embrace opportunities to deliver virtual environments to help consumers know more about their travel options.
Through virtual reality, future consumers will be able to “try before they buy” before ever leaving home.
Hotels and airlines will look to embrace these technologies to enable immersive “preview” experiences for potential customers, while continuing to recognize that there will never be a true substitute for authentic travel.
No matter to what degree forecasted trends in technology will change the landscape, it will inevitably shape the state of travel in the coming years.
The companies that determine first how to leverage these technologies to create a more seamless and enjoyable travel experience will be the winners in 2030.
NB: This is an analysis by Scott Alvis, chief marketing officer for Amadeus North America.. It appears here as part of Tnooz's sponsored content initiative.
NB2:Seismology card image by Shutterstock