It’s a universally acknowledged fact that technology has
influenced every aspect of human life, specifically over the last few years.
This stands unambiguously true for travel industry. Remember the time when a "things‐to‐pack" list used to be very extensive ‐ camera, film rolls, Walkman,
copies of important documents, maps, dictionary, etc. All these things can be
carried in one tiny device called smartphone now!
The impact of technology has
been huge on both travelers as well as travel service providers; tools,
technologies and apps are constantly evolving to enable better travel
experience.
With digitization being the biggest disruptor in the travel
fraternity, the year 2018 has and will continue to be the year of embracing smart
technology in business travel.
Staying ahead of the curve
According to Global Business Travel Association
(GBTA), India is the world’s fastest-growing business travel market. It is
crucial for industry players to strategize to stay ahead of the increasingly
tech‐savvy business traveler across India and the world.
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This challenging and
dynamic customer base demands better services in the shortest amount of time
possible. Corporate travel calls for a need to revolutionize the industry by maximizing
efficiencies, improving experience and increasing choice and options.
In 2018, any organization that wishes to serve today’s
digitally smart traveler must align itself with their expectations and
anticipate them to stay ahead of curve. To survive and thrive in the business,
it is important to accept and adapt technologies.
Rapid penetration of smartphones, near-field communication, in-flight Wi‐Fi, faster networks and many
such advances are accelerating the penetration of technology into every aspect
of travel. Self‐booking tools, travel analytics, artificial intelligence and
sharing economy services are not only here to stay but hold myriad and exciting
possibilities for the future.
Future innovation
Our Indian business travel market is on the cusp of
technological innovation led by its fast‐growing millennial workforce,
smartphone usage and fast internet connectivity at low prices. Having envisioned
digital India, the government announced a new initiative led by Ministry of
Civil Aviation called "DigiYatra" to transform the nation into a digitally
empowered society.
To survive and thrive in the business, it is important to accept and adapt technologies.
Rakshit Desai
Under this, aviation stakeholders - airlines, airport
operators, security and immigration agencies, cab operators and retail
establishments - are working to devise digital standards which can enable seamless
exchange of data and information.
It aims to bring together the entire industry to
develop a digital ecosystem that will deliver Indian customers a seamless,
consistent and paperless service experience at every touch point of their
journey. This could prove to be a game-changer in the travel industry.
The current digital ecosystem and promise of future innovation has created a
conducive environment for the travel industry to grow rapidly. We live in a
dynamic world where consumer data is easily accessible, and strategies should
be continuously devised on the basis of behavior patterns.
While constant engagement
with the clients, travelers and other stakeholders on technology solutions is
imperative, service providers also face the perennial challenge of
differentiating themselves to meet the evolving technology needs of the growing
breed of the new-age travelers.
The objective lies in making this information
more relevant and actionable for travelers in India. At the end, the consumer is
looking for services that are personal, seamless and could be experienced over
and over again.