According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, travel and tourism will add a whopping $17+ trillion to global economies—a massive boost that will no doubt be spurred by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the mix, as highlighted by the recently released Future Journeys Report by Omio, developers of a platform that combines bookings for buses, trains, ferries and flights. This comprehensive study, developed in collaboration with The Future Laboratory and a panel of industry experts, offers a look into the future of travel over the next decade.
The Evolution of Travel
So, what’s coming? According to the report, the new travel landscape is one where technology and personal identity come together to create highly personalized experiences. In other words, ten years from now, travelers will discover and book their journeys through “travel-tainment” platforms that blend immersive storytelling experiences with their scrolling habits. See a destination or hotel you like? You’ll be able to book, share or put a pin in it with a swipe, a click or a verbal command.
The reasons we travel will also undergo a significant shift. Artificial intelligence and the ever-present, ever-learning algorithms will be able to figure out every facet of your life and create itineraries that fit you to a “t” based on your swipes, likes and hides. It will also allow you to connect with like-minded travelers headed in the same direction, so you can create a community even before you leave home.
At the same time, travelers could find that travel brands have morphed their customer service departments into responsive, AI-powered agents, providing real-time assistance, tips and local info. And while these virtual “advisors” can be extremely efficient and convenient, the reality of solely “talking” to a bot could be unsettling at best and frustrating at worst.
The report also shines a spotlight on Generation Alpha, the emerging wave of travelers who were born into a world of global digital connectivity. In spite of and perhaps because of the lack of physical boundaries in their digital world, this generation is now in search of actual physical experiences to ground them, while keeping an eco-conscious mindset as to the mode of getting there.
The future of travel, as envisioned by Omio’s report, is one of intuitive, technology-driven experiences that cater to individual needs, values and desires, transforming every aspect of the journey into an integral part of the travel experience.
For more information, visit omio.com.
