We all know that the tourism industry has undergone dramatic transformations over the past two years.
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted travel as we know it and has made way for new trends, opportunities and challenges.
But, how can travel companies stay ahead of the curve and adapt to these changes?
And, in turn, how will this impact our future travels?
Read on to find out our predictions for the future of travel and our tips on how to innovate.
Recent changes in the industry
While travel is constantly evolving in terms of destinations, technologies and trends, Forbes explains that there has not been such a significant shift in our lifetimes as the changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the past two years we have seen vacations become staycations and city breaks become nature escapes. Last year, safety concerns put many of us off foreign travel, but according to Travel Pulse, pent-up demand, increased confidence, and the removal of restrictions mean that international travel this year is predicted to surpass pre-pandemic levels.
As we talked about in 6 Trends that will continue to shape the Travel and Tourism Industry in 2022, the pandemic has made way for a number of new trends and has also accelerated existing ones. Sustainable travel is on the rise, and more and more travellers are now looking to escape to off-the-beaten-track destinations and have more meaningful, unique and impactful experiences.
Technology and digitalisation in travel have become even more important, and it is now no longer an option for businesses in the industry to have a strong digital presence.
However, although travel is booming, companies within the sector are currently having to deal with and adapt to problems such as labour shortages, high inflation rates, short booking windows and rising gas prices.
Beautiful redhead professional woman freelancer works on laptop computer poses in outdoor cafe wears casual white t shirt spectacles chats in social networks has morning breakfast in coffee shop
Remote work and mobility
The continuation of remote and hybrid work models offers lots of opportunities for travellers and travel companies alike. As we talked about in The Rise of the Workation, location independence now allows many of us to set up a workspace anywhere that has an internet connection.
Travel companies have adapted to the rise of remote work by offering deals and packages for long stays and added facilities such as co-working spaces. While many people are heading back to the office, mixed trips are becoming a popular way to enjoy both work and play, and the increased freedom that this has given us means that this trend is set to continue.
The travel agencies of the future
The move from traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies to online travel agencies is nothing new. Companies within the industry have seen profound changes in recent times as platforms such as Skyscanner and Airbnb have changed how travellers plan and book their trips.
Today’s consumer is increasingly independent and empowered, often researching multiple different sources before making a purchase or booking. However, although it has become increasingly efficient for us to book travel ourselves, organising and planning itineraries can be a headache.
Travel agencies have always boasted a personal service as their unique selling point, and this is still a huge draw.
To put it simply, travel agents can help to improve the overall travel experience, offering travellers added ease and confidence.
The demand for travel agencies persists, but these companies need to keep up with innovations in the industry in order to flourish in our digital world. It is crucial that travel agencies focus on technology and how it can assist them to offer their customers the best possible experience.
Automated software such as online booking platforms can help travel agencies to simplify the entire booking process while allowing them to create personalised itineraries according to the specific needs and desires of each customer. More on online booking engines here.
How to stay ahead of the curve
Innovation in the travel industry should focus on one thing: technology.
During the pandemic, technology such as contactless payments and digital certificates helped us to regain confidence and begin to return to normality.
This reliance on technology is only set to continue. And, a survey by Booking.com found that over half of travellers are excited about the potential of technology to further personalise their travel experiences.
Personalisation will be key to the future of travel, and technology can be used as a tool to help companies offer more personalised services. However, as travel is highly experience-based, it is important to maintain a balance between the digital world and face-to-face interactions.
Side view of young girl using mobile phone with suitcase near locomotive on platform of Oriente railway station in Lisbon
The future of travel software
Innovations such as Artificial Intelligence, biometrics, virtual reality and augmented reality are set to transform the travel experience as we know it.
This type of technology was already on the rise before the pandemic, and now the demand for it is at an all-time high. Digital software can help travel businesses to streamline and automate their processes, cutting time and costs as well as reducing human error and allowing them to gain useful insights into consumer behaviour.
Hospitality Net reports that 2 in 3 organisations moved to more cloud-based business activities in response to the pandemic. Cloud-based technology is only the beginning of the reshaping of the industry, and tourism companies must embrace a more connected, scalable and flexible digital infrastructure in order to grow.
While technology has helped to empower consumers themselves, travel agencies must ensure that they utilise the most innovative software solutions in order to compete.
That’s why here at Nezasa we provide travel brands with the most efficient, user-friendly and flexible online booking engine. Our TripBuilder software allows you to plan and book your customers’ trips with ease, all on one easy-to-use online platform.
Through the use of our unique software, you can create hyper-personalised and flexible itineraries that your customers will love.
How does Nezasa see tourism changing in the future?
Here at Nezasa, we are passionate about technology, and we predict that the travel industry will become even more digitally focused in the coming years. Innovations in software and AI will offer us new ways to plan, book and enjoy travel, and we believe that personalised and unique travel experiences will continue to grow.
For more information on our cutting-edge products, be sure to check out our website, and to keep up with the latest travel trends don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.
