Travel Trends 2014: Technology as the Driving Force

According to ITB Berlin World Travel Trend Report, the global travel and tourism industry has witnessed a 4% growth in international trips in the year 2013. The report further states that emerging tourism hot-spots like China and Russia have successfully retained top positions to attract globetrotters; alongside, the Asian and European countries have performed well in the category of emerging tourist destinations. Considering the growth ratio of 2013, experts are speculating that the industry will get a 4 to 5 per cent growth in the coming years in the outbound travel.

Travel and tourism industry has emerged as one of the most lucrative fields over the past years. According to the President and CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council, David Scowsill, the USD 6 trillion industry has shown dramatic investment and economic growth contributing 9.1% of the GDP, which is larger than the automotive industry at 8% GDP and smaller than the banking sector at 11%. Speculating the future of global travel market, experts have suggested possible travel trends, which are ready to buzz the global market in the year 2014.

Mobile Accessories

Smartphone is already a buzz-word in the travel scenario; travelers are now more dependent on the small, easy-to-carry digital devices that contribute towards easing the entire travel experience. Thus, the focus of most technology providers is to invent devices that serves diverse category of users including honeymooners, business professionals, students to leisure travelers.

Relax Visa Programs

To make travel a hassle-free process, many countries have initiated to relax entry requirements. Russia is one of the first countries who is working towards making visa free travel to the EU. Countries like US is also reforming their visa policies so that more and more visitors can come and explore the country. According to experts, it is another step by the travel industry that would contribute towards globalizing the business in the truest sense.

Anywhere Internet

Travel business depends on several verticals and one of them is the amenities or the additional services. Internet is perceived by the experts as one of the most important services that tops the amenity list. With the popularity of portable web-connected devices, people’s demand for an on-the-go internet connection has also increased. Thus, hotel industry is replacing it’s in-room Wi-Fi connections with portable, pocket-size Wi-Fi hotspots that allow the users to conveniently carry it anywhere to access internet. For its multi-device connectivity, speed and portability, its speculated to add up to the guests’ hotel experience in the near future.

Embracing Mobile Ways

The internet increased its dominance as a booking channel and experienced a 10% rise in booking in the past year. Alongside, a growth in mobile bookings has also been noticed and this gave a clear indication that it will continue to grow in the coming year also. Thus, travel providers are now focusing on creating mobile platforms for consumers to easily search and book their travel deals using their mobile devices.

Technology to Supersede

Hotel industry is striving to get hold of the bigger market by introducing technology driven facilities. To achieve this, hotels are working on smart phone check-ins so that the process becomes more lucid. Also, front desks being replaced by kiosks with avatars. However, the primary challenge is to implement these technologies in the third world countries where people are yet to accept this technological shift.

The industry experts are predicting a great shift-through in the year 2014, mainly driven by modern technology. However, the industry needs to address some of the key challenges like stimulating jobs and investment, and eliminating barriers such as visa restrictions, taxation and outmoded infrastructure system.