Technology is constantly redefining industry standards – and the corporate travel sector is no exception to the rule. In an increasingly digital world, new technology is developed at the speed of light and travel companies are quickly adapting to create a more seamless and modern experience for their clients. Find out more about the latest technology trends that are transforming the travel experience for business travelers.
5 New technology trends in the business travel industry
Robot assistants
It’s true – the future has arrived in many hotels around the world. One of the best examples is Connie, the new concierge at the Hilton hotels that greets guests at the reception desk and helps them find restaurants, car rental services, and learn more about their hotel. The only difference is that Connie is a robot. But this trend is far from being unique in the market. Many hotel guests have already made their bookings online with the help of chatbots that use artificial intelligence to handle requests and assist users when human operators are unavailable.
Voice search
With the rise in popularity of smart speakers and mobile assistants like Siri, there are more and more clients using voice search to make bookings and manage their calendars. For companies in the corporate travel sector, it is in their interest to be able to attract this kind of client by introducing this new technology at all touch points to create a truly contactless experience. From websites that allow users to make their bookings using voice search technology to hotel rooms with smart speakers, the corporate travel experience is becoming more and more effortless.
Smart hotels
Our world is a digital one and many hotels that host business travels want to extend this digital experience to their guests as well. That is why it is increasingly more common to find hotel rooms equipped with devices that are connected to the internet for a more comfortable and modern experience. The goal is to connect everything that surrounds you in a hotel room – from the air conditioning to the entertainment system – to the internet so you can use voice commands or an app to do everything you need to make your stay more pleasant and effortless.
Digital wallets
Contactless payments have already been a part of the corporate travel experience for a while now, but the emergence of digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay means that travelers now don’t even need to carry a debit or credit card to pay for meals, hotel stays, transportation, and many other services.
This contactless experience brings advantages to all. Potential clients can enjoy a trip with less friction points and swifter payments (including at hotel check-in and check-out). And companies in the sector will appreciate spontaneous purchases being encouraged and client satisfaction increase due to the greater ease of payments.
5G network
One of the main tech trends for 2021 is the development of apps for 5G network. Whereas 3G and 4G have allowed us to browse the internet, use data services, and increase bandwidth to stream content on platforms like Spotify, 5G is here to revolutionize the tech world. This new generation of mobile network will allow for a more stable and faster connection between all kinds of devices – including those that use more advanced technology like virtual reality and augmented reality. In the corporate travel sector, we can expect new apps for 5G developed by more than 50 operators in about 30 countries by the end of the year.
