Business travel comes with its fair share of challenges. From booking flights, hotel rooms and transport at the last minute to overcoming jetlag. Then there is long airport security queues that you have to pass through and if you are packing too much, you could end up paying extra for excess luggage and waiting longer at the airport, both of which can make your trip miserable before it has even started.
Even when you reach your desired destination, the hectic routine can take its toll on your mind and body. The stress involved in delivering a presentation in front of a massive audience or speaking in front of a large crowd at conference or attending back to back meetings with different business stakeholders can negatively impact on your health.
Thanks to modern technology, you can overcome all the afforementioned challenges of business travel. If you are interested in knowing how modern technology is reshaping travel then you are at the right place. In this article, you will learn about how technology has transformed travel for good.
Power to Consumers
With review and ratings system in place, the power has shifted to the hands of travelers and is no longer in the hands of travel businesses. According to a research, 92% of consumer say they trust recommendations over all forms of advertising. Sites like TripAdvisor is claims that it is one of the largest travel portal with more than 200 million authentic reviews. What’s best about such websites is that any body can read those reviews and recommendation from travelers and decide which places they should visit and which ones they should avoid. There are also social media sites or website and apps that acts as a bridge between reviewers and their audience.
Smartphone
If I had to name a single device that has made the biggest impact on not only travel but every industry you can think of, I would pick the smart-phones. As smartphones become more and more powerful, they are better able to take advantage of the apps installed and let you perform tasks with few taps, which was not possible in the past. Remote check ins and digital boarding passes have now become a reality thanks to smart-phones. With access to high speed mobile internet, you can get latest news, useful information, use GPS and navigation and send messages. Many airlines are harnessing the power of beacon technology by using location specific Beacons. Many airports uses Wi-Fi for tracking passengers and some are even offering in flight Wi-Fi to help you stay connected with your loved ones even when you are flying thousands of meters above sea level. You can book yacht charter Dubai from your smart-phone even before landing in Dubai.
Composite Materials
Transportation has evolved over the past decade. We now have high speed transportation option for both air, sea and land. As far as today’s airplanes are concerned, they are 70% more fuel efficient as compared to an airplane of 1960. The use of lighter and stronger materials means that we can now put together aircrafts which are much larger and can carry more passengers in one go. Now, airplanes can easily carry more than 700 people. The combination of different materials makes it much more lighter and robust leading to increased fuel efficiency, faster speeds and spacious interiors.
Wearable Tech
Few years back, we saw wearable technology burst on to the scene and made waves. Most tech giants released new shiny products soon after to capture a sizable market share in this domain. Google Glass and Apple watches are prime examples of this trend. Although, the wearable tech trend has somewhat slowed but it is not dead by any means. From receiving notifications to getting directions, wearable technology makes travel a breeze, helping you in every step you take. It makes navigation as easy as one two three and you will never get lost in an alien city again thanks to these wearable gadgets strapped to your wrist.
Biometrics
Fingerprint scanning, facial recognition and iris scanning has become so common that even some smart-phones comes with these features. This is great news from safety and security perspective. Many airports are also experimenting with automatic passenger control to reduce queues, helping passengers on arrivals and departure. Don’t be surprised to see biometric and other security measures being implemented at different airports around the world. Many airports will set up separate e-passport gates, making it easier for passengers to pass through quickly and without much hassle.
Shared Economy
Gone are the days when you most business travelers tend to book a lavish five star hotel, which cost them an arm and leg especially if you are planning to stay for weeks. The rise of shared economy has led to the creation of innovative apps like Airbnb and Uber. Airbnb has completely transformed the accommodation industry for good and changed the perception amongst traveler. Today, most travelers uses apps like Airbnb to book accommodation and are willing to share a home with a complete stranger. It is not only cheaper but also more convenient, offering passengers the peace of mind they could only find in their home. Uber, on the other hand, makes it easy for you to travel from one place to another without any hassle.
Navigation Apps
One of the biggest challenge for travelers is navigating in a new city. If you have not been to a city before, you are bound to struggle in getting to your desired location but not anymore. Let’s say you are in Dubai and you have to go on a desert safari in Dubai. Use navigation apps to reach a desired destination. With Google maps and other navigation apps on your side, you can easily get direction and reach your desired destination without the need of asking any stranger for direction.
What is the biggest change technology has brought to travel industry? Feel free to share it with us in the comment section below.