2023 is the first year completely out of the COVID pandemic, so it is a no-brainer that, after a lull spanning 3 years, the travel sector is finally going to see a huge boom. 2023 is going to be the year when travellers around the globe use up three years’ worth of savings and vacation days. Moreover, with the remote working option becoming a norm, people will have all the more opportunities to go exploring the world without skipping work.
And just like in any other walk of life, technology is expected to play a huge role in making the average traveller’s life simpler. So let’s take a look at the travel trends anticipated for 2023.
Travel aggregator apps and websites to flourish
Long gone are the days when travellers would look up each hotel in the area to compare facilities, availability and prices. In 2023, travel aggregators are going to keep being used widely by passengers looking to save time. Apps and websites listing cheap flights, hotels, and tourist experiences are going to be all the rage. Those specialising in discounts, offers, and deals are likely to see an even bigger response, given today’s budget-conscious travellers.
AR and VR to elevate hotel experiences to the next level
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) apps are revolutionising how we experience travel in the 21st century. Naturally, hotels and resorts too are jumping in on this technological advancement to give customers a truly unique experience. AR enables potential customers to get a glimpse into the amenities and features of a stay at the hotel before making the booking, with zero marginal cost to the hotel. AR-embedded high-tech apps, ultra-modern cameras, interactive maps, and videos can not only make travelling easier but also more engaging.
Metaverse to become even bigger
The word “metaverse” has been a hot potato for the past couple of years, but 2023 might be the year when the travel industry sees it become a reality. Taking a few steps ahead of VR towards broadness and utility, metaverses could prove to be a great source of travel inspiration, especially for niche destinations, effectively compelling more and more people to take the road less travelled. With metaverses, travellers would also be able to take a tour of the Louvre, climb up Machu Picchu, or take a boat to Niagara falls, all without leaving the comfort of their bedroom and pajamas.
AI to run airports
Contactless has pretty much become the standard for the travel industry ever since the pandemic. Airports, which see a footfall of millions every month, have necessarily had to step up their game and use technology to do away with paper documents. Several airports all across the world have introduced machine learning and artificial intelligence-inspired, end-to-end biometric identification infrastructure. Passengers will now only have to look into the cameras for their identification documents to be processed. Along with facial recognition, finger and palm vein pattern recognition and gait, voice, and accent recognition might also pick up the pace.
