AI innovations have completely transformed the outlook for the travel and hospitality industry.
Artificial intelligence has made great advances in many industries since its inception. While talking about the ever-changing travel industry is also taking advantage of AI to transform the way it operates. At present, travel companies highly leverage AI-powered tools and solutions for diverse processes from travel planning to landing at the destination. AI has been incorporated into many areas of the travel and hospitality industry making the lives of travellers across the globe easier.
Top 10 AI Innovations in Travel and Hospitality Industry
AI Assistants for Booking: AI assistants and Intelligent chatbots have taken over the place of travel agents allowing travellers to book their flights and accommodation using the internet. These AI chatbots are deployed in social media sites to offer users a more personalized booking experience. The travel reservation giants such as Skyscanner, Booking.com and Expedia are using such operations.
Robots for Customer Services: Robots are used to filter customer services in the travel industry, by eliminating the need for human agents. They are being used to know the information or try to find gates in a busy terminal. Hotels are also using robots for this very reason to assist the customers. The latest report also says that it is soon expected to replace robots for the checking process by 2030.
AI Forecasting: These days the AI technology can help you in finding the best price at the right time and also provides a heads up on the fight prices too. Some giant companies have also made this feature available to their users. Hopper is one such example that can be used by travellers to avail this opportunity.
Identify Insights: As huge amounts of data are generated every single second, there is a need for travel companies to intercept this data to understand and gain insights. And so, most travel companies are leveraging AI to sort through these vast data sets accurately, which is otherwise a daunting task for human beings.
Sentiment Analysis: Social media is booming like anything. Airlines and hotels are leveraging sentiment analysis combined with AI to identify the sentiment of travellers through social media and how it relates to the journey of the travellers. This technology is being used to deliver a better customer experience to the travel partners.
Room Mapping: Most of the hotels are using AI for room mapping to track dynamic prices for the same room across multiple suppliers. AI can also help in predicting dynamic prices for a specific room, which can get a precise idea for when and how long the prices are likely to remain the cheapest as they can.
Smart Baggage Handling: Airports handle millions of bags each year, so most airports are leveraging AI for handling airport baggage systems. They can also be automated with robotics and AI in the future by handling the luggage smartly. They have already implemented AI solutions in some of the airports with pilot projects.
Personalized Travel Planning: Travel planning is likely to transform with an increase in mobile applications that can provide personalized end-to-end travel planning. These applications may include new capabilities such as tracking passenger’s health by integrating with wearable technologies and recommending safe travel zones. AI can provide better customer satisfaction for travel planning.
Augmented Reality Apps: Artificial Intelligence led to AR which can enhance people’s perceptions of the environment when viewed through dedicated devices or smartphones. Most of the traveller’s step towards AR-enabled travel apps seems like a no-brainer. They all use AR apps to improve the overall visitor experience with interactivity and instantly accessible information.
Online Reputation Management: With the help of artificial intelligence, companies can now easily monitor their customer reviews. AI enables the companies to know about social media comments, services and other mentions about the brand. Artificial intelligence can view customer reviews and comments that would not be possible for a human being. By using this technology, hotels and airlines can easily find out the negative feedback of the customers and respond accordingly.
The Future of AI in the Travel Industry
AI Technology in the travel industry has steadily plunged and transformed the way we travel today. There are many potential ways passengers and travel companies can utilize AI to make the journey an efficient and smooth one while maintaining customer satisfaction at a higher level. From a consumer viewpoint, AI makes it easier for users to find the relevant information, make informed decisions, customize deals and give better customer experiences. And from the business point of view, it can improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of the travel industry.
