With more people than ever before traveling to new and exotic destinations, it is no secret that the travel and tourism industry has undergone some major changes over the past few years.
Moreover, it seems to be the case that technology is the driving force behind most of the latest innovative developments where holidaymakers are concerned.
In order for the travel industry to survive, travel companies and tourists alike must adapt to growing trends in technology and sustainability.
Accordingly, although we are now able to travel in faster ways than ever imagined, it is technology that has helped us to reach new heights. So, whether you are a frequent flyer or simply enjoy the occasional weekend break, let us discover 4 different ways that technology has affected travel for holidaymakers.
1. Technology is Sparking Sustainable Travel
One of the biggest concerns that worries holidaymakers is the impact of their trips on the planet. Besides, no one likes to think too much about the consequences of their vacation for the environment. However, by taking small steps, travel has gradually become more streamlined.
Nowadays, passengers no longer need to print off airline tickets, boarding passes, or hotel reservations. Instead, thanks to online apps and e-tickets, huge quantities of paper can be saved, and travelers no longer need to worry about losing their travel documents. For instance, if you want to book a sailing trip for whale watching, you may not need to visit Hawaii to make the reservations. You can just visit sites like kaikanani.com or similar websites of companies that offer such tours and book a sailing trip instantly. It is also no secret that online reservations and bookings can save time when it comes to checking in, allowing holidaymakers to enjoy more time doing what they love.
2. Brilliant Biometrics
Border control and safety issues are never going to go away completely. Nonetheless, with facial, fingerprint, and iris-recognition technology soaring in popularity, airport security has been dramatically improved on a global scale. To give just one example, automatic passenger control (APC) kiosks have been installed in airports in the USA to cut down on queuing times.
By photographing and fingerprinting arriving passengers, the results are then matched to the biometric information stored on their passports. It is thought that, over time, similar systems will be introduced in airports in Australia, the UK, and Europe.
3. Packing Has Been Perfected
Packing your suitcase ready for a trip can be equal parts exciting and stressful. Squeezing all of your clothes, toiletries, and other essentials into a bag is no mean feat. Nevertheless, with portable gadgets now able to do more than ever, bringing along a complete music library, or even an expansive film collection on your next trip is as simple as remembering to pack your iPad.
Thanks to apps like Netflix and Spotify, you can stream all of your favorite movies and songs at the click of a button from almost anywhere in the world. And even if certain TV shows are unable where you are going on holiday, the availability of VPN technology remedies the problem. You just have to download and install the right VPN that is optimized for streaming purposes. You can read hidemyass review or research on other VPN providers to decide which is the best choice for you. Additionally, if you are a bookworm, you can stash at least 2000 books on an Amazon Kindle or any other type of e-reader. Above all, by condensing down your technology essentials into a handy gadget or two, you can save plenty of space in your bags for souvenirs and other must-haves.
4. Getting Lost is a Thing of the Past
Traveling to somewhere new can be incredibly daunting at first. Even tracking down your hotel can be a challenge if you do not have a transfer arranged. Whereas in the past, holidaymakers used to have to rely on paper maps, tourists can now use satellite navigation, geo-location, and other smartphone features to find their way, whether they are walking, attempting to work out public transport, or have gotten camper rental and are driving themselves around a country and exploring the roads themselves. Hunting down popular attractions, deciding on where to eat, and finding family members and friends is now totally effortless.
Correspondingly, although printed travel guides can quickly become out of date, online travel blogs and reviews can help you to find information about an area in real-time.
Furthermore, previously, baggage was lost due to mishandling, but now there are several new technologies in place that assist flight attendants in dealing with such problems immediately. Private jets, for example, now use robotics technology to assist with a variety of tasks. This can include things like passenger handling, baggage handling, and even car parking. It can also help free up flight attendants to deal with more pressing issues. They use bots that can communicate with passengers in a variety of languages. These robots can even provide flight information in real-time. This is one of the reasons why people usually opt for private jets for vacations and travels to enjoy flying in a private jet or plane, which is, by the way, a luxurious experience further enhanced by new and novel technology. And these new technologies implemented in them make the ride safer for passengers and more enjoyable. But understandably, it is expensive for most people. Still, people do want to take a ride in a private jet at least once in their life. If you are one of those people and want to inquire about the estimated charter private jet cost, you can use a private jet cost estimator on the websites like jettly.com.
Ultimately, in the travel and tourism industry what worked for holidaymakers as little as 10 years ago might no longer work today. Thanks to the growth of the internet and the rise of digital technologies, going on vacation has been overhauled for a new generation of tech-savvy travelers.
With technology continuing to shape holidaymaker behavior, it will be fascinating to see what the future holds for holidays yet to come.