Trends in tourism and travel industries

3. Contactless Payments
Another important form of travel tech is the ability to accept contactless payments. This will allow travel companies to process payments much more quickly, including in situations where customers do not have access to cash, or their credit or debit card. It can also enhance the customer experience, because it is a time saver.
The availability of contactless payments started as a convenience, but it has emerged as a key part of tourism marketing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. With travellers nervous about the spread of the virus, many are reluctant to handle cash. Using contactless payments as much as possible can also protect your own staff.


4. Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality has been an emerging technology in a number of different sectors, but its role within the tourism industry is especially significant. After all, it provides travellers with the ability to experience far away locations from the comfort of their own home, and can be the difference in whether they ultimately complete a booking.
Using VR tours, customers can experience everything from virtual hotels tours and restaurants, to landmarks, national parks or even specific activities. The interactivity and immersion can also help to provide you with a competitive advantage over rivals who are not yet making the most of these kinds of tech trends. Most VR tours or 360 tours are now compatible with mainstream web browsers and can help those who are reluctant to travel due to COVID to see the benefits more clearly.


5. AI Chatbots
AI-powered chatbots can be one of the single most sensible travel technology investments you can make, because these chatbots are able to provide customers with swift answers to questions on a 24/7 basis, regardless of staff availability. This can be essential for living up to current expectations on customer service.
Typically, these chatbots are at their best when answering common questions, which have standard answers. Yet, advances to AI technology mean modern chatbots continually improve as they have more and more interactions. They can also be especially good at responding to queries about COVID policies and safety or hygiene measures.

6.Internet of Things (IoT)

One of the most exciting emerging travel technology trends is the Internet of Things (IoT), which involves internet-based interconnectivity between everyday devices, allowing them to both send and receive data. Already, we are seeing examples of its role within the travel and tourism industry and this is only going to increase.
For instance, IoT technology can be used in hotel rooms to provide customers with a device that connects to everything from the lights, to the heaters and air conditioning, allowing all to be controlled from one place. In airports, meanwhile, luggage cases can be installed with sensors that will alert passengers when they pass by.