Tech Trends for the Travel Industry to Watch Out for in 2022

Technology is an important aspect of the tourism and travel sector since it aids businesses in their day-to-day operations while also boosting client satisfaction. As a result, restaurants, airlines, hotels, and other businesses must stay updated with the latest technological advances in the travel sector. This is especially significant in the COVID era, when customer expectations are changing.

The Significance of Technology Adoption

Technology adoption is expected to fundamentally transform the travel industry over the next few years. The age of digital transformation has started, with senior executives abandoning legacy technology infrastructure in favour of revamping and reconstructing their businesses with interconnected, cloud-based systems that are more agile.

Travel technology can assist organizations in streamlining or even automating operations that would otherwise necessitate active human engagement. This can thus potentially assist a company in reducing staffing requirements, cutting costs, and increasing revenue, resulting in improved financial outcomes.

While adopting new technology purely for the sake of 'coolness' is not a good idea, new tech-driven experiences can help the travel industry solve a number of challenges when utilized intelligently.

According to recent research, in response to COVID-19, two in three firms transitioned to more cloud-based business operations, with 97 percent currently using cloud technology and 78 percent pivoting.

Cloud-based technology is just the beginning. There has never been a greater need for tourism and travel organizations to adopt a more interconnected digital infrastructure, with scalable and cost-effective solutions that enable long-term innovation and organizational growth, such as an innovative travel CRM or travel business management system.

The travel sector is developing at a fast and exciting pace, from cloud-based technologies to modular apps and increased automation.

The following is a compilation of the most recent and cutting-edge technology trends in the travel industry, as well as tech trends that address the COVID virus's impact on consumer behaviour.

1. The Marriage of Wellness and Travel Tech

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, wellness travel was on the rise, with yoga workshops, Zen getaways, and unconventional spa treatments becoming popular. This trend is now starting to resurface once again. Hence, Wellness Tourism is expected to reach $919 billion by 2022, as per the Global Wellness Institute.

We're seeing a change in the way the tourism industry defines 'wellness.' Major players are increasingly pursuing a holistic approach to wellbeing, which covers workout, lifestyle, diet, and psychological health, rather than just spas.

Some of the more intriguing new technologies in this sector integrate wellness and technology, such as VR - based spas that offer services such as stress management in addition to external therapies. Skincare treatments are now based on data that are highly tailored for each consumer. Lastly, alternative protein sources aid in the creation of better and more sustainable diets.

In addition, we are witnessing a significant increase in workplace wellness, which is expected to reach $66 billion by 2022. Including more companies attempting to provide wellbeing benefits to their employees, we may see more crossovers between the health and corporate travel sectors, with wellness-focused retreat plans, excursions, and workshops, making the use of a travel business management system even more critical.

2. The Robot Invasion

One of the most intriguing forms of travel technology is robotics, which is continually advancing. Robots have been deployed in concierge-like tasks in hotels, for instance, assisting with greeting guests and providing information.

In the future, robots may even assist in the preparation and serving of meals in restaurants. They can be used to identify concealed firearms in airports, and some companies are developing luggage cases that autonomously follow you.

Furthermore, travel agencies are employing robots for pre-screening, rendering customer wait times more fruitful. This trend can be integrated with travel CRM software to achieve even better outcomes.

Robotics use has grown in response to COVID, as it has in response to several other tech trends in the travel sector, primarily because the technology has the ability to eliminate human-to-human contact.

3. The Travel-Intelligent Chatbot

AI-powered chatbots are one of the most cost-effective travel tech investments you can make, as they can provide customers with quick responses to issues 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of personnel availability. It may be necessary in order to meet modern customer service requirements.

Generally, these chatbots perform best when responding to typical questions with standard responses. However, as AI technology progresses, contemporary chatbots continue to improve as they engage with more and more people. They're also competent at answering questions on COVID policies, as well as safety and hygiene precautions.

4. The Greater Role of Big Data in Travel Business Operations

Big data is a reality of life in contemporary tourism management, and practically every successful company has its own data collection tactics. One of the most common uses for this insight is to boost personalization, with travel businesses using the data to make specific changes to their services.

Analysing existing business performance is another useful application of data gathered using an innovative travel business management system. Hotel operators, for example, may use big data for financial management by analysing historical room occupancy and other historical trends to better predict demand. Pricing and promotional techniques can be optimized when demand is foreseeable.

Final World

Tourism and travel trends have impacted much of the current travel technology. For example, the rise of electric car rental has been impacted by the trend of more personalization, while the rising usage of IoT devices in hotel rooms has been influenced by the trend of more personalization.

There are many more travel tech trends that businesses need to keep an eye on in 2022 and beyond. Keeping up with the latest travel tech trends is critical for organizations in the travel sector. Understanding and implementing the aforementioned trends will enable you to create a better customer experience while also improving sales forecasting and overall profitability.