Introduction
Business operations and consumer expectations are constantly shaped by technological breakthroughs. The traditional business practices have evolved significantly with every decade and technology is dominating the day to day operations. Since the dawn of computers, business enterprises have seen a rapid growth. Soon, the internet ushered in an era of digitalization and made it possible to carry out transactions on a global level. Now, ultra-modern technologies like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies are making things even easier. We have evolved to the age of automation with such innovative technologies.
Modern technology and Travel
Travel and Tourism industry along with the hospitality sector has seen numerous changes in everyday business scenarios. Travel plans and bookings can be done through online mediums. This has increased the potential consumer base for travel agents manifold. Business volumes have increased and the travel and hospitality industry is flourishing like never before. The internet has witnessed numerous travel portals and websites. These portals allow travelers to plan their trip, make hotel reservations, book flight tickets and car rentals. Many portals also facilitate users to interact with each other and plan a mutual trip to save money. Due to this many Travel Portal Development Companies are in demand now. Discounts and offers are also available on online mediums. Even social media platforms have become a base to promote tourist destinations.
This article explores how the modern technology has transformed the travel industry.
- Online Travel Assistants
Every traveler needs some assistance or guidance while planning the trip. Traditionally, it was the travel agents who assisted tourists with such information. but, nowadays, this can be done online. Many travel portals offer online integrated personal travel assistants to help consumers.
They offer highly automated travel planning along with a solution to execute the travel plan.
Web portals use new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to perform these tasks with much more efficiency. These technologies grant users the access to a wide variety of data and information. Whether business travel or for leisure, a traveler can immensely benefit from the data gathered through these personal travel assistants. These online travel assistants provide a consolidated information on routes, bookings and ticketing fares, scheduling, checkouts, and payment options. Travel agents also benefit from the use of such personal assistants. They can significantly reduce administrative costs as well as boost sales through resource optimization.
- Travel Planning Solutions
The travel sector has radically changed the way they operate. By incorporating newer versions of the technology, the industry participants have successfully automated many of the manual processes. Trips can be scheduled using AI-based route planners. Bots designed to work on artificial intelligence are used to analyze different possibilities and offer the best travel alternative to consumers. There are other applications and platforms where users can book travel tickets as well as make hotel reservations. These suggestions are also based on AI programmed algorithms. Many developers have also come up with applications that facilitate expense management. Many transport carriers have adopted a similar functionality to aide the ticketing processes. Consumers can avail of the automatic rebooking, cancellation, and refunds as well as subsequent payment adjustments.
Most of this information is updated in the travel portals on a real-time basis. Carrier schedules for flights and trains, lodging and hotel vacancies along with travel insurance information is available online. Additional information like route preference, loyalty programs, consumer support hotlines, and user reviews can also be accessed easily.
- Use of Machine Learning for travel planning
Machine learning is one of the pioneering technologies of the recent times. Machine learning allows computers and virtual assistants to recognize and identify one or more travel alternative. It is not just restricted to route planning alternatives. It is also widely useful to provide consumers with entertainment suggestions and tourist destinations, cost implications and time. Technology platforms typically use smart contracts to automate the information network. These smart contracts are coded with the different terms and conditions of the travel portals. Any changes or requests raised by consumers can be processed promptly consider short time deadlines, penalty clauses etc.
Additional technological features like satellite services and IoT provide additional information about travelers. The location of the traveler can be monitored throughout the entire duration of the journey. Any deviations the route of the carrier and changes in the original schedule can be recorded instantaneously and information can be disseminated on a real-time basis. Machine learning technology is also used to predict and forecast and possible conflicts and take corrective actions.
- Automatic Verification
Traditionally, the personal identification and verification was an extremely laborious and manual process. This validation process can be expedited with the use of modern technologies like blockchain. The personal information of the travel can be uploaded and recorded with the use of cryptographic ciphers. This makes the data secure online. Once the ticking and bookings with the carrier have been confirmed, the personal information of the travel can be shared through the digital medium by granting access to the carrier to such a network. This would speed up the manual verification process. There are other benefits of using digital verification. The primary being that it would drastically reduce cases of identity theft.
- Creating a consolidated data platform for travel
A world effort will soon be made to create a single consolidated data platform. This will allow travelers, travel agents, hotel management as well as other intermediate parties converge into one single digital network. All the process can be seamlessly integrated into one technological platform. This would change the travel and hospitality industry as we know it. The future of travel could be entirely automated. Some of the ways in which a consolidated data platform can revolutionize travel are
- Route scheduling for the travel along with booking tickets and lodging reservations at one go
- Automatically issuing tickets through a digital medium and follow up confirmation.
- Automatic payment settlements and declaration of expenses
- Booking on hire cab rentals to and from the airport
- Up-to-date information about travel plans to ensure a smooth trip with minimal disruptions.
- Higher transparency among travel agencies, carriers, hotels and lodging and travelers for faster settlement.