AI, space trips and smart cities: Your travel just got futuristic
(Graphics from www.wttc.org)
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group unveiled earlier this month “Technology Game Changers: Future Trends in Travel & Tourism”—a report spotlighting the innovations set to revolutionize the industry.
In a statement, WTTC said the report explores 16 transformative technologies shaping the future across four major trends: digital technologies, financial technologies, future of mobility, and breakthrough innovations.
Travel reinvented
The report suggests that by the end of the decade, AI agents won’t just automate travel searches and bookings. They could also match human intelligence across many tasks, transforming travel and tourism as we know it.
Quantum computing could soon be solving problems beyond our wildest thinking—from optimizing global air traffic in real-time with unprecedented efficiency to unlocking the next frontiers of space travel and deep-sea tourism.
Supersonic flight is also set to make a spectacular comeback, more than 20 years after Concorde retired. Boom Technology and United are gearing up to carry passengers at blistering speeds within the next four years.
Meanwhile, smart cities with driverless cars and advanced air mobility will soon open doors to places once thought unreachable, redefining the tourist experience for the travelers of tomorrow.
Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, said: “The travel and tourism sector is in the midst of a digital revolution. From AI-driven personalization to advancements in aviation sustainability, innovation is reshaping how we explore the world.”
“As travelers turn to social media, streaming platforms, and cutting-edge tech to inspire and book trips in real time, platforms like Instagram are shifting from selling products to selling experiences. Meanwhile, technology is unlocking new adventures off the beaten track. With innovation accelerating at an extraordinary pace, businesses embrace these advancements today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow,” Simpson said.
Boon Sian Chai, managing director and vice president of International Markets at Trip.com Group, added: “Travelers today expect planning and booking to be intuitive, efficient, and hyper-personalized.”
“At Trip.com Group, we are pioneering AI-powered travel assistance, Super Apps, and innovations to cater to, and even exceed such expectations. This report is also an essential guide for businesses looking to stay ahead of rapid digital change,” Chai said.
The future of travel
Here are other key insights from the report:
AI revolutionizing travel. According to the report, 94 percent of industry leaders see AI as mission-critical. AI-powered assistants like Trip.com’s TripGenie saw a 200 percent surge in usage in 2024, revolutionizing trip planning and customer experiences.
Super apps. A survey of 8,000 travelers found 97 percent want a single platform integrating flights, hotels, activities, and payments, for a frictionless journey.
Greener travel. From Virgin Atlantic’s first-ever 100 percent sustainable fuel transatlantic flight, to Port Miami’s expansion of shore power, the travel and tourism sector is advancing towards a more sustainable future.
Space tourism. Once a distant dream, commercial space travel is rapidly approaching reality, with infrastructure and demand accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
