Technology powers your daily work and home tasks by making life easier. How can they help you on your next trip? Innovations helping big business trickle down to your next road trip or international flight. Here are six ways modern technology keeps you connected and enhances your journey.
1. Removing Physical Cards
Traditional travel involves carrying cash, bank cards and the keycard to your hotel room. However, times have changed. More businesses are embracing contactless payment, allowing you to pay with your smartphone. The last thing you want on vacation is lost credit cards or cash because your wallet fell onto the ground, so mobile pay has become integral.
Keyless entry is another perk of increased connectivity. Modern hotels let guests use their smartphones to enter their rooms, thus eliminating typical security vulnerabilities associated with plastic cards. While technology is vulnerable, your room is more secure because the rooms contain biometric and encrypted safeguards.
2. Paperless Travel Documents
Your smartphone has become the center of connected travel because it also carries your tickets. With paperless travel documents, you no longer have to worry about losing physical copies. This innovation boosts airport efficiency because you can instead use digital boarding passes. Show your flight information and head to your next destination.
While paperless confirmation is prevalent at airports and hotels, you also see it at the various stops in your destination. For instance, you could book a tour to see sights around the city. Many businesses have turned to electronic booking, so you might not have to print anything. QR codes and e-tickets have replaced the physical copies your parents are used to.
3. Travel Entertainment
Road trips and long flights can generate boredom, so how do you pass the time? Despite being away from home, you can stay connected with various gadgets and devices. If you like music, download your favorite songs and listen to them while you’re in the most rural locations. Streaming services let you keep up with your favorite shows and movies.
Staying connected on the road is critical in case emergencies arise. For instance, your car could break down in an area with limited or no cell service. In these situations, mobile routers provide internet hotspots to contact emergency services or a mechanic. Getting stuck on the highway can be frustrating, so having a technological backup in your pocket is helpful.
4. GPS Technology
If you’ve never driven somewhere, you might need a global positioning system (GPS) to navigate the city. These gadgets have been around for a few decades but have become more intelligent thanks to innovation. Now, your GPS device can plan and refine travel routes to find the fastest and most fuel-efficient route. You also benefit from asset recovery if theft occurs.
GPS gadgets are great for staying connected when you’re outside the car. For instance, hiking watches have built-in GPS technology to help you navigate the trail and avoid getting lost. Some devices can receive email and text notifications, ensuring consistent contact with family and friends.
5. AI Assistance
While customer service is essential to the industry, hospitality and tourism have started to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a replacement. Machine-powered technology begins when booking reservations and chatting with customer service. Modern websites have employed chatbots to decrease the human workload and let AI handle administrative tasks.
The AI assistance doesn’t stop when you book your flights and rooms. Airports, restaurants and hotels have integrated robots wherever possible to increase efficiency and guest satisfaction. You may encounter a robot carrying your luggage to your hotel room or recommending local eats. Airports wield robots to enhance security and efficiency.
6. Cloud Computing
While travel is usually for vacation time, it could also involve getting down to business. Work trips could take you across the state or halfway across the world, requiring you to connect with your team. How can you keep in touch with your colleagues back home? Advanced technologies like cloud computing make it possible in the digital age.
Working with cloud services means you can collaborate as long as you have an internet connection. Research shows 94% of companies worldwide use this technology, demonstrating its importance to modern businesses and travelers. Upload your work to the cloud and reduce the delays in your trip. Another benefit is the tight security and backups from cloud IT services.
Traveling Made Easier in the Digital Age
Remember how traveling used to be before smartphones? You had to print the directions, plane tickets and other documents to prepare for trips. While some papers are necessary, modern travel wields technology to help you stay connected. Keyless entry, mobile routers and GPS devices are a few ways to leverage technology for better travel.
Jack Shaw is the senior writer for Modded, a men’s lifestyle publication. An avid outdoorsman and lover of travel, he’ll often find himself taking retreats out into nature to explore the world and encourage others to do the same. Feel free to connect with him via LinkedIn.