Travellers everywhere dreamed of the day when the COVID-era travel bans would finally be repealed while everyone was locked in isolation and quarantine. The travel business was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the traveling public is eager to resume their travels after spending more than a year at home. Because of this, the future of travel agency and the business of agents has increased.
The very same travel sector that the coronavirus decimated is now poised to make a significant recovery as a result of it. Travel agencies nowadays, however, are not the ones you would recall from the days before the internet, with their fluorescent lighting, drop ceilings, and sun-bleached brochures. They have since experienced a significant technological revolution. Travel agents claim that the development and expansion of technology have improved marketing, communication, ease, and productivity.
They are eager to escape their outdated, stagnant reputation thanks to the newfound power provided by data analysis and cloud computing. As a result, the future of travel agency may be as promising as it has ever been.
Salient Features
The travel business is quickly investing in data that is gathered, saved and analyzed to meet the needs of specific travelers. Companies like Pathfndr constantly use AI-powered data to satisfy every customer’s needs. The following factors together will determine the future of travel agency:
Structured Data: Properly organized data can be used for commercial purposes. This goes beyond simply compiling information from various sources. Organization also makes it easy for you to take full advantage of data.
Enhanced Service: You need the plan to improve all aspects of the customer experience, from digital self-assistance to human customer service. Using the ideal balance of human and technological interaction creates a fantastic experience for the customer.
Real-time Data: The speed and freshness of information define its true value. Customers want all information to be current and immediate, including bookings, comparisons, confirmations, and cancellations. If customers are utilizing metasearch engines to compare costs, it makes perfect sense for providers of travel agencies to understand the trade patterns and the pricing strategies of their rivals.
Insights: A critical element of revenue management is a deep understanding of customer behavior through analytics, the application of customer predictive analytics, and solutions for price optimization to maximize growth, profit, and consumer experience.
Upcoming Trends
Artificial intelligence and robotics
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics were formerly thought to be far-off technologies, but this is no longer the case given how quickly technology is developing. Robots that interact with passengers in airports are not a recent development. It is intended to recognize emotions, take into account group dynamics, and respond proactively to unforeseen circumstances, potentially offering a cutting-edge tool for passenger experience and customer service. Due to delays, navigational issues, or language hurdles, passengers frequently miss their connecting planes. Robotics can be included in this process to improve it and thus enhance the future of travel agency.
Smart Luggage
One of the practical and popular ideas by agencies will be smart baggage solutions as Airlines mishandle millions of luggage annually, costing the industry tens of billions of dollars and upsetting passengers. Luggage with biometric support will help put an end to baggage handling issues. These modern luggage tracking devices are typically made to turn off when your suitcase is being stowed while boarding and come back on after landing. If this can be executed properly, the future of travel agency is in good hands.
Drones
People enjoy traveling, but even more than that, they enjoy telling others about their travel adventures. Travel enthusiasts enjoy a bird’s eye view of the landscape, allowing them to capture expansive panoramas and magnificent photographs for inspiring travelers everywhere. With so many drones available for purchase, more people want to travel and take amazing aerial photos of their trips that neither a standard camera nor a smartphone could manage. This benefits businesses that can then highlight videos and images on their websites and get more clients to approach them for their upcoming travel plans. Drones, thus form an elemental advancement in the future of travel agency.
Virtual Reality
Selling an experience, a sentiment, a setting, or the background of a certain location is the main focus of the tourism and travel industry. In the past, this has been done, among other things, through powerful images, storytelling, and user profiles. Virtual Reality is, without a doubt, the most fascinating development in the future of travel agency and the tourism industry.
People can actually experience exotic travel spots right from the comfort of their homes. Virtual reality has a lot of possibilities for travel and tourism marketing. Not merely the sensation of being somewhere else, but also smarter travel decisions can be made with the aid of virtual tours.
Artificial Reality
In augmented reality (AR), computer visuals can be seamlessly superimposed over the real environment to improve the sense of reality. There are numerous opportunities to use this technology and enhance the future of travel agency and tourism as a whole. However, augmented reality technology is redefining the traveler’s experience by enhancing the planning process and making it much more straightforward and participatory. With the help of this technology, it is possible to overlay digital improvements over an empirical reality or real-world situation.
Contactless Transactions
Accepting contactless payments is a crucial aspect of transport technology. Travel agencies will be able to process payments far more swiftly as a result, even in circumstances where consumers lack access to cash or their debit card. As a time saver, it can also improve the client experience.
After the coronavirus outbreak, the accessibility of cashless transactions evolved from a convenience to a crucial component of tourism marketing. Many travelers are hesitant to handle currency because they are concerned about the virus spreading. Additionally, you can protect your personnel by using cashless transactions as much as feasible. This again is a very important technological advancement in regards to the future of travel agency.
A.I. Chatbots
Because AI-powered chatbots can answer consumers’ questions quickly and continuously, regardless of personnel availability, they are one of the most logical investments that you can make to improve the future of travel agency.
To meet the high standards of customer service that are currently expected, this is necessary. These chatbots typically perform best when responding to questions that are frequently asked and have standardized replies. Modern chatbots, however, continue to get better as they engage in more and more exchanges because of advancements in AI technology. They are also very effective at answering questions about the guidelines issued by any particular country for tourists.
Pros and Cons of Technology in the Travel Space
Technology has the power to either make our lives easier or considerably tougher. It can either make the future of travel agency the best or even result in its downfall. The effects of technology are seen every day because most package vacations and cruises are still booked through travel agencies. Technology affects travel businesses in both positive and negative ways.
- Booking a trip just takes a few minutes, not hours, thanks to the high-speed internet, which enables quick connection with an agency’s travel partner. Partners receive bookings quickly, which allows them to arrange their workforce accordingly, and productivity goes up. This is actually seen as one of the major boons for the future of travel agency.
High-speed internet has its drawbacks because it has led to consumers booking their travel. Travel arrangements for nearby locations and dates can be readily reviewed, and online booking engines can swiftly compare prices.
- The fact that some customers now conduct their research online before making a booking with a travel agency presents another difficulty for the industry. Addressing the needs of the modern consumer involves the ability to both recognize and build on your customer’s existing knowledge as you process their reservation.
Traditional agencies have no choice but to adapt and change their business models in order to make the future of travel agency better. Travel agents still handle over 77% of all ship reservations, 55% of air transport bookings, and 73% of various travel sales despite ongoing competition from 3rd parties and direct suppliers.
Conclusion
The travel sector is prepared to rebound thanks to technology and AI-powered data. It takes investment in solutions to build trust and inspire weary travelers to set their minds on new adventures once more. Examples include using data analytics to ensure a safe trip and touchless booking at the airport.
Modern travel platforms like Pathfndr are at the core of it all; their AI-powered travel websites allow you to not only simplify your travel business but also enable your customers to make their bookings seamlessly.