2020 was unquestionably difficult for travel. According to the World Economic Forum, the tourism industry lost an estimated $1.3 trillion in export revenue. However, while it could take several years for the industry to recover fully, a McKinsey survey reveals that traveling is the second-most-desired activity among respondents (second only to dining out). As the industry recovers, we look at key technology trends for the future, including AI translation, voice assistants, and more.
Five key AI trends for the travel industry
- Chatbots
As chatbots become more and more advanced, their benefits become increasingly clear. At the most basic, chatbots give simple answers to FAQ-style questions, helping customers quickly access information. But these days, chatbots can do much more. From dealing with order queries to closing sales and triaging customers, chatbots can save time and money on operational costs.
What’s more, travel translation companies can help you create a multilingual chatbot, assisting customers from around the world in their own languages.
- AI for personalization
As customers, we’re starting to expect personalization as standard. Major travel companies like Airbnb harness the power of AI and machine learning to personalize search results tailored to their customers’ interests. As Forbes explains, each search result is based on the content the customer interacted with previously, meaning no two people get exactly the same results.
AI personalization isn’t just for accommodation, either. By personalizing apps and websites, companies in other sectors of the tourism industry can suggest restaurants, local excursions, entire holidays, and more. The more a customer searches, the better recommendations they can get.
- Voice assistants
Many households now have some form of voice assistant, so why should hotel rooms be any different? Some cruise line operators have AI voice assistants in each cabin and hotel chains have tested the tech, too. Thanks to AI translation, these virtual assistants speak several languages and are ready to provide customer service on demand.
- Travel translation
Companies in the tourism industry can make the most of AI advancements to help translate their products and services in several ways.
To start, AI translation technologies can help translators create accurate and rapid translations for the tourism industry, using the power of computers combined with the knowledge of expert translators.
Secondly, experts can translate AI travel platforms, such as chatbot text or voice assistant speech, so that your systems are ready for customers around the world. Travel translation companies can advise on the best way to approach your project.
- AI for sanitation
Back at the beginning of 2020, The New York Times reported that airports were using AI for tasks such as managing passenger flow, reducing time spent waiting in line, and optimizing logistical systems. Passengers could see how long they needed to wait via an app, while managers could monitor which areas needed more staff and attention.
Fast forward to 2021 and similar technology is reportedly being used to monitor crowd densities and aid social distancing. Autonomous robots can also help maintain hygiene standards, with UV light cleaners to help disinfect areas and even body temperature sensors to minimize the risk of virus outbreaks.
Future Trans – Travel Translation
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