The Impact of New Technologies on the Travel Industry

Technological advancements impact various industries, and hospitality is no exception. They have changed how users search for, book, and experience vacation destinations. 

With high-speed internet connections, virtual reality, and AI-powered voice control, travel experiences have become more intuitive and engaging.

In this article, we discuss how new technologies benefit the hospitality sector.

Cloud Technologies

Cloud computing is the foundation of the technologies mentioned below. According to statistics, about 81% of travel businesses have already invested in cloud computing.

One of the most notable advantages of the cloud is data security. While companies still have numerous cloud-related concerns, these technologies are more reliable than on-premise data storage. From natural disasters to cyberattacks, numerous issues can result in data loss. 

The cloud provides enhanced data security options and makes it easier to comply with data privacy regulations. That is why many hospitality businesses, such as IHG Hotels and Hyatt Hotels, partner with Amazon Web Services.

In a recent guide, SuperAdmins explain that organizations should have a strict compliance strategy before migrating to the cloud. It ensures their cloud computing solutions meet customers’ demands regarding data collection, storage, backups, etc. 

By adopting the cloud strategically and ethically managing customer data, travel and hospitality firms will build trust with their target audiences.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality refers to highly engaging 360-degree content. Unlike traditional photos and videos, VR is interactive. It immerses a user into the virtual world. 

With the help of these technologies, users can travel to the most distant corners of the globe without leaving their homes. Via physical sensations like sounds or images, they can move around the digital environment and interact with it.

The VR uses in the travel sector are multiple. Some of them are:

• Providing virtual hotel tours: VR allows hospitality businesses to host virtual tours of hotels and rooms. That way, users can experience what the place looks like before booking it. 
• Offering an immersive booking interface: Instead of filling out annoying website forms, users can book hotel rooms or tours via a VR headset. 
• Promoting the hottest vacation destinations: For example, a hotel in Reykjavik may offer a virtual experience of the Northern Lights.

The Internet of Things

Simply put, the Internet of Things is the network of devices that use sensors and other technologies to exchange data with other systems via the internet. 

In the travel industry, IoT involves the integration of users’ smartphones with sensor-powered devices. 

Delivering Customizable User Experiences

The Internet of Things enables a higher level of user experience personalization. 

For example, some hotels power their rooms with sensors. Via a mobile app, users can switch the lights on/off or control the thermostat. 

On planes, sensors allow users to control the air conditioner or adjust the temperature of the seat.

Enabling Smoother Travelling 

IoT technologies improve user experiences at every touchpoint. 

Smart airports use sensors to provide passengers with real-time messages. For example, the mobile app can notify a user about the location of their baggage so they can easily find it. 

Ensuring Faster Maintenance

In factories, the IoT is an essential part of the equipment maintenance process. Sensors identify the performance problems and send alerts to the IT staff. That saves them time since they do not need to look for machinery failure causes manually. 

These technologies play a fundamental role in the travel industry, too. For example, if a light bulb stops working, the sensor activates and sends notifications to the hotel staff. 

5G Network

5G stands for the fifth-generation wireless technology. It provides users with high-speed internet connections and decreased latency. These networks change how we communicate and exchange data. 

As such, they are essential to the travel industry. Namely, 5G perfectly matches VR or the Internet of Things. 

For example, 5G can provide immersive cultural experiences. Fast internet connections allow travelers to use VR or AR to explore new places.

Smart airports equipped with sensors also use these technologies. They provide passengers with beacons that let them navigate their terminals more successfully. 

Voice Control

Over the past few years, voice control has revolutionized the travel industry. In the mobile-first era, a growing number of customers perform searches via smartphone voice assistants. According to Google’s research studies, nearly 70% of Google voice searches use natural language. These conversational technologies make people more comfortable interacting with search engines. Above all, they simplify the customer journey.

Statistics show that tech-savvy users rely on these technologies to:

• Look for hotels
• Learn about in-destination activities
• Search for flights
• Request information on destination
• Get vacation ideas

For businesses in the hospitality sector, that is the opportunity to provide faster and more engaging user experiences. First, the goal is to optimize website experiences for voice searches. For example, why not let a user book airline tickets or hotel rooms via their voice assistant?

Voice control and the IoT are a match made in heaven. Guests can use voice assistants in hotel rooms. For instance, they can control lighting and heating. They can even use voice search for self-service. They can obtain accurate tourist information from the voice assistant without having to speak to the hotel staff.

Over to You

New technologies have revolutionized the travel industry. 

For example, cloud computing has accelerated the digitization of this sector. It promises seamless user experiences and higher data security standards. 

Virtual reality, voice assistants, and the IoT go hand in hand with the fast 5G network. Together, they provide immersive, exciting, and personalized user experiences. 

When observing these trends, we can conclude that the travel sector will become more user-oriented in the years to come.