Technology has transformed the majority of sectors over the past decade. As improvements continue to be made, businesses can expect further transformation throughout 2020.
One particular sector set to be transformed digitally this year is the travel industry. Here, we’ll look at how the travel sector is set to change thanks to technological developments.
Solving common travel issues
This year, a large focus in the travel industry is going to be using digital transformation to solve common issues. Specifically, connected analytics are set to improve the customer experience.
Every step of the customer journey will be assessed and improved. Companies will look at each step of the customer journey, using analytics to see any struggles that are experienced along the way. As well as helping to address potential issues, this data analysis will also help travel companies create a more personalised experience for each customer.
Personalisation is huge in business right now. Consumers have started to expect a more personalised service and technology can help businesses to achieve this.
Recognition technology
One of the more exciting tech developments set to transform the travel industry, is recognition technology. Set to make interactions a lot more streamlined, this technology includes things such as fingerprint and facial recognition, alongside retina scanning.
Recognition technology is nothing new. It’s been used in the financial sector for example, for many years. However, it’s something the travel industry is yet to fully utilise. Some hotels around the world offer fingerprint recognition to gain access to your room. However, this is largely used in the most exclusive hotels.
One way this technology is being developed, is to allow consumers to pay for meals at restaurants simply by walking out of the door. It could also be used for check ins, payments, boarding passes and security. Making payments faster and easier is sure to boost the industry in 2020.
More intelligent chatbots
The travel industry is starting to invest more into AI technology. Specifically, they are focusing on developing more intelligent chatbots. These virtual assistants help customers with any queries or problems they are experiencing. This can really boost customer satisfaction, ensuring they receive timely help as and when it’s needed.
The chatbots currently being developed are also able to continuously learn from their interactions with customers. This can reduce the number of phone calls to customer service, which can be a frustrating process for customers.
E-documentation
Applying for visas and passports has always been a complex and length process. However, the travel industry is looking to change this via the use of E-documentation. This allows consumers to bypass the red tape, ensuring all documents are available for a smoother travel experience. This will also make travelling a much faster and stress-free process.
As you can see, there are a lot of technological advancements planned for 2020. Some of the technologies, such as recognition tech, are particularly exciting. While many travel companies are already utilising the latest technologies, 2020 will see more realise the potential of digitalising their business.
