One of the most exciting developments in Artificial Intelligence is the emergence of machine learning. As the term implies, applications that use machine learning become smarter the more the application is used. Machine learning is at the heart of today’s search algorithms and self-driving automobile revolution as well as advanced spam and fraud detection. In the travel industry, machine learning is being deployed to improve user interfaces, analyze vast amounts of data and enable conversational commerce. This article will discuss the practical use of machine-learning techniques for travel applications, separating the hype from the true potential of this emerging technology.Analyst: Norm RoseTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Report
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Neural networks are the “thinking” part of artificial intelligence. This is where data is collected and, based on the structure and application of the data, where the outputs are developed. The goal of this article is to provide a business level guide to neural networks with separate sections addressing neural network.Analyst: Bob OffuttTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Report
The unstoppable rise of mobile, along with the evolution of online platforms and other technology advances have given travelers increasingly sophisticated tools to leverage throughout the travel life cycle. Based on a comprehensive survey of U.S travelers’ attitudes and behavior, this special collection of reports explores key aspects of how consumers incorporate technology into their travel planning and booking, as well as into the actual travel experience itself.Analysts: Mark Blutstein, David Juman, Cathy Walsh, Brandie Wright, Michael Coletta, Douglas QuinbyTopics: Consumer Trends, Technology InnovationRegion: U.S. & CanadaResearch Type: Report
Traditional machine interfaces such as keyboards, tablets and joysticks have long been the weak point in fully integrating computers into our everyday lives. Speech recognition and speech response systems were too limited, had high error rates and were offensive to listen to because they sounded like mechanical speech. Now that is all changing. Major technology breakthroughs on both the input (speech recognition) and output (speech synthesis) sides have made interactive speech suitable for everyday use.Analyst: Bob OffuttTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Report
Consumers worldwide are embracing chat and messaging at an astonishing rate, and this is fueling an explosion in the use of apps such as Facebook Messenger, WeChat, iMessage, WhatsApp and others. This trend is extending into the travel category, where brands have a significant opportunity to leverage chat and messaging to provide more streamlined, personalized services, and to generate meaningful operational efficiencies. This report explores the use of chat and messaging in travel, including analysis of the top messaging apps used by travelers, and the potential for text-based customer service, travel planning, shopping and booking.Analysts: Michael Coletta, Mark BlutsteinTopic: Technology InnovationSegment: Hotels & LodgingRegion: U.S. & CanadaResearch Type: Report
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quite possibly the most exciting computer development since the creation of the web. Businesses and product developers have just begun to understand the enormous potential of AI and its associated disciplines. This paper, which is the first of 4 innovation edition articles, will provide a primer on AI with a focus on the opportunities for the travel industry.Analyst: Bob OffuttTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Report
As Eastern Europe’s largest travel market, Russia plays a key role in the economic vitality of the region. As proof, the 2014 default of the ruble plunged Eastern Europe’s travel markets into a series of devastating losses that are only now receding. This Spotlight presents an overview of the Russia and Eastern European travel landscape, including the size and scope of travel supplier and distribution markets, and key growth drivers through 2020.Analysts: Krassi Simonski, Karen BurkaTopic: Market Overview & SizingSegments: Air, Cruise, Hotels & Lodging, Online Travel Agencies, Rail, Tours & PackagesRegion: EuropeResearch Type: Report
View and/or download the presentation deck and audio recording of the April 12th, 2017 webinar - held in partnership with Jumpshot - to explore key traffic and conversion trends for online accommodation in the U.S. across desktop and mobile.Analysts: Douglas Quinby, Pete ComeauTopic: Consumer TrendsRegion: U.S. & CanadaResearch Type: Report
While social media has long had an impact on travel sharing and decision-making, the landscape has changed dramatically. Travelers (especially younger ones) now show a strong preference for sharing their travel experiences visually – through photos and video. This spotlight explores the impact of social networks on travel, including which sites are most used by travelers, how travelers share their experiences, and the impact of social media on travel decisions.Analysts: Brandie Wright, Mark Blutstein, David JumanTopics: Technology Innovation, Social & SearchRegion: U.S. & CanadaResearch Type: Report
By necessity, corporate travel planning considerations include the interest of the company and the preferences of the traveler, the two of which are not necessarily in perfect alignment. To streamline the process and reduce the complexity of corporate bookings, travel suppliers and intermediaries are utilizing new advances in technology. Technologists in the travel space have set their sights on one of the last frontiers of human-computer interaction: natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI).Analyst: Christian KameirTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Report