8 Ways in Which IoT is Shaping the Future of Travel Industry
Travel is one of the largest industries with a high level of competition, where customers expect innovation at affordable pricing. Owing to the pressure due to high competition and demand for better services at a cost-effective price, businesses from this industry have been the earliest movers with IoT.
The Internet of Things has the potential to have a huge impact businesses, automating processes without any human-to-computer or human-to-human interaction.
Based on the sheer volume of adoption and the ability to offer advanced interconnection and communication among devices, systems, and services, the Internet of Things is expected to bring disruption in the travel industry.
According to SITA 2015 Airline IT Trends Survey, 86% of the airline companies believe IoT will provide “clear benefits over the next three years.”
IoT is streamlining the end operations of the hotels, airlines, and other travel companies by connecting smart devices, systems, and processes. By taking advantage of the IoT technology, travel industry can realize increased operational efficiency and more personalized guest experience.
Below are the top eight ways in which Internet of Things innovations will impact the travel industry.
1) Personalisation
The IoT technology that includes in-room tablets will enable guests to personalize as per their needs, like adjust room temperature, control TV, elevators, and heaters, turn lighting on and off, schedule wake up calls, etc. This will offer convenience to guests similar to their home, making them revisit your hotel.
Hotels can automatically send electronic key cards on guests’ smartphones, allowing them to check-in without anyone’s assistance. Smart locks with NFC readers will ensure security by allowing guests restricted access to facilities on demand.
2) Real-Time Information
IoT applications will help the travellers to connect with various devices they take along with them. If you need to change flights or have connecting flights, real-time notifications will be available on the flights status. You will also get directions to your gate at the airport, instructions on how to board a flight and information about what security checks are completed.
3) In-Flight Experience
With IoT, sensors are going to be embedded in the seats inside the aircraft which can measure the anxiety level, heart rate, body temperature, hydration level, etc. of travellers, allowing the cabin staff to provide comfort to them.
4) Streamlined Operations
IoT will help in streamlining the day-to-day operations of airports where passengers can easily locate their bags through their smartphones. Even the bags will be able to locate the passengers and send them signals by sensing the carousel they are nearest to. By affixing RFID tags to the luggage, the travellers will be able to find their real-time location along with strengthened security. Sensors attached to bags will be beneficial for travellers who have lost their baggage, allowing airlines to locate and deliver missing baggage quickly.
5) Customer Service
IoT helps to serve customers in a better way due to the availability of relevant data. Knowledge of customers’ likings and dislikings can help provide them outstanding services. Before the complaints are made, they can be curbed. It becomes possible to please each and every customer, leading to brand loyalty. Travel businesses can engage and entertain their customers every time they visit. Airlines will be easily able to determine if guests’ specific requirements weren’t met the last time they travelled, thus leading to an improvement in services the next time they travel.
6) Automation
IoT automates the business functions of travel and hotel businesses. Hotels can track supply chains more efficiently through sensors in shipments, enabling them to get ready for any future contingency and avoid service disruptions to guests. Hotels and airlines can even implement security mechanisms in offices and structures easily, with the centralized administration of these IoT-enabled cameras and sensors from smartphones.
7) Tourist Experience
During their travel to the city, tourists will be able to locate and find information on everything they need from their smartphones easily. There will be sensors everywhere in the city from roofs of the buses to parks and gardens and parking lots, which will collect data about the habits of travellers and their reactions to different attractions, determining patterns and optimizing tourists’ experience.
8) Maintenance
For the back-end operations, sensors on jet engines and airplane parts will be able to provide real-time information about the aircraft parts and systems and when the items need to be replaced or repaired to the maintenance staff.
IoT applications will be able to improve the overall fuel cost and consumption by considering the energy prices. They will give instructions on when and where to refuel, and how much to save for the fuel.
Conclusion
IoT is still in its infancy and is expected to revolutionize the travel industry. From enabling automatic check-ins and check-outs to hotel rooms and helping tourists locate their travel destination to monitoring the performance of airline engines, IoT will make things easier. It is not only helping the travel businesses and tourism agencies to improve their customer service and increase their revenues but also allowing them to take measures for customer retention.
Internet of Things will help in gathering huge amounts of data, but trying to understand all that information requires investment in the right technology and people to draw actionable conclusions.
Future innovations in IoT will bring even more disruptions in the travel industry. It is important that companies incorporate IoT into their current initiatives to leverage the benefit of future innovations when they arrive.