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In just a few years, the term the Internet of Things, IoT for short, has evolved from a narrow term used by futurists to describe a utopian vison of a connected world, to today’s reality, where millions of smart devices are connected to the Internet. The beauty of IoT goes beyond individual smart devices, as the sum of its parts delivers the ultimate value to the consumer by simplifying and automating tasks. These range from managing your home’s energy consumption to automatically ordering milk, when your smart refrigerator detects a need to replenish your supply. For the travel industry, the impact of IoT is beginning to be felt at the airport, on the cruise ship, at the hotel, and in the traveler’s destination. This article updates the current state of IoT, providing examples of pilots and implementations all designed to simplify and personalize the travel experience.Analyst: Norm RoseTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Article
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Each year, Phocuswright publishes its pick of the top business and technology trends that will shape the future of travel distribution. This Spotlight includes updates of previously published trends, along with emerging trends that are definitely worth keeping an eye one, including the IoT, virtual/augmented reality, geolocation and more.Analyst: Bob OffuttTopic: Technology InnovationSegments: Air, Hotels & LodgingResearch Type: Article
The Internet of Things (IOT) has been touted as a major travel game-changing innovation to watch. However, it remains unclear how this new technology can contribute to customer service and value creation through service innovation within travel and hospitality. This article outlines how travel-related companies can think creatively about how IoT devices can be integrated into the customer experience in ways that can truly transform the industry.Analyst: Gabriele PiccoliTopic: Technology InnovationSegments: Air, Car Rental & Ground Transportation, Hotels & LodgingResearch Type: Article
The changing world of technology deployments started 50 years ago with a computer deployment reference architecture that provided terminal access to a centralized server. This terminal was only a client communications device. As computer clients got smarter and telecoms remained expensive, more and more computing work was shifted to the client: accordingly the client server reference architecture grew in popularity. Analyst: Bob OffuttTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Article
Artificial Intelligence has been around for decades, but the last three to four years have seen a dramatic increase in the use of AI techniques in all industries, including travel. In previous articles we’ve talked about different AI techniques and potential applications, but where are the true AI innovations in our industry today? Which AI capabilities are still being over-hyped? What sectors have the greatest promise for AI? Will AI eliminate travel industry jobs? How can AI help humans to be more efficient and knowledgeable? Are we there yet, or heading for the Trough of Disillusionment?Analyst: Norm RoseTopic: Technology InnovationSegments: Air, Car Rental & Ground Transportation, Cruise, Hotels & Lodging, Online Travel Agencies, Rail, Tours & PackagesResearch Type: Article
In spite of some early-stage funding contraction, the travel startup ecosystem is alive and well. This article explores the state of innovation in travel and highlights the top trends and developments, based on the innovators who participated in Phocuswright’s Innovation Platform events in 2018. Presenters are grouped into categories based on area of focus, and key trends are summarized.Analyst: Michael ColettaTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Article
Technology plays a growing role in individual lifestyles and how people engage with their surroundings. Smartphones and wearables are ever-present companions. Unlimited entertainment options are instantly available across multiple devices by subscription. Digital assistants answer questions and execute commands. As consumer reliance on technology increases, expectations while traveling will inevitably grow.A combination of these new direct and indirect needs will permanently change the hotel guest experience. Hotel design will become more focused on satisfying various guest personas demanding the technological conveniences of home and office while traveling.Analyst: Robert ColeTopic: Technology InnovationSegment: Hotels & LodgingResearch Type: Article
One of the hottest topics in the travel industry today is using artificial intelligence (AI) to create unique offers personalized to a traveler’s needs. The goal is to increase the conversion rate of the offer by bundling specific products and services that the user would find helpful to their specific travel needs. Whether it is the IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) initiative or third-party tools that analyze big data, most believe we are entering a new era of AI-driven pricing, packaging and bundling. This article discusses the current trends in AI-driven predictive pricing and bundling, illustrating how predictive offers can be created to increase traveler acceptance.Analyst: Norm RoseResearch Type: Article
Blame it all on digital. Thanks to digital technology, today’s traveler can access and share more information more easily, and this access has molded behaviors and shaped expectations like never before. These technology-influenced behaviors and expectations have created a propensity towards the kind of do-it-yourself (DIY) mentality that can conflict with the very principles of hospitality (service with a smile), travel businesses are being forced to adapt and adjust to the DIYers. Looking deeper, there are nine trends in today’s DIY traveler experience.Analyst: Hollis ThomasesTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Article
When Apple first introduced iBeacons (later just called beacons) in 2013, these small short range wireless transmitters were hailed as the foundation of new age of micro geo-targeting. Retailers were going to use beacons to automatically notify consumers of exclusive deals while passing by a store in the mall. In the travel space, beacons would help travelers navigate the airport, check security wait times and take advantage of special deals. Now, four years later, the use of beacons has become common place impacting the enroute and in destination travel experience.Analyst: Norm RoseTopic: Technology InnovationResearch Type: Article