As travel continues to grow, and travel expectations evolve, technology continues to impose itself in the travel booking process and also in the travel experience itself.
Amadeus and its travel partners have flagged these six tech trends as the ones travel consultants should watch.
1. The cloud will improve collaboration with travellers for a more personal experience
Cloud technology removes limitations of physical space and time and allows for travel bookings and chanes to be done on the go. Amadeus suggests that travel agents can use cloud technology to create a seamless collaboration with customers when planning a trip itinerary for example. “Take a customer out of a brick-and-mortar store to a café with a tablet and work together to develop an itinerary,” said Champa Magesh, senior vice president, retail travel channels, Asia Pacific, Amadeus
2. loT will create a seamless trip where travellers are connected to their travel agents at every stage
loT can connect customers to their travel consultants throughout their travel experience. Agents can create a universal travel pass, the can include hotel check-in, transportation tickets and even theme park tickets. This universal pass, suggests Alfred Kam, chief operating officer of Travel Expert Group, could also handle multiple currencies so travellers won’t have to do currency exchanges travelling between different countries.
3. Voice will be the way we book travel in the future
“As AI and voice-enable devices become smarter…when the process becomes seamless, voice will be the future of booking travel,” says Nishank Gopalkrishnan, Triposo’s chief executive officer. He says agents should take advantage of this by selling high value and high engagement products via voice.
4. Blockchain will create more secure, direct transfer payment methods
Blockchain can address some of the issues that exist around data, privacy and payment security. “Blockchain an revolutionise traditional methods by allowing all transactions and ticketing to be safe and secure. Blockchain technology will also offer an efficient way to integrate different service providers in a distribution evnrionment,” suggests Kelvin Ko, assistant manager, business development at Travel Expert Group.
5. NDC will transform travel distribution as we know it
Travel distribution has never been straight forward. The myriad of pricing options, fare types, loyalty programmes and multiple players means travel agents have to deal with multiple travel providers. Seamless integration with EDIFACT, NDC and other API connectivity will be essential. “Travel agents will need to evolve to offer integration with non-travel related content…value-added services will be a success factor for future travel agents,” said Magesh.
6. High network speeds will facilitate 3D/VR/AR technologies for a more engaging and immersive booking experience
New technologies along with high-speed networks, when harnessed, can transform travel agencies into digital travel agents who can provide a trip planning experience that provides more content, information and booking details, says Kam.
Feature photo credit: Getty Images
