Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: Technology pioneers Amadeus have released new study that examines what tourists want from a vacation and how technology may help them achieve their goals. 6,000 travelers from the US, China, India, the UK, France, and Germany provided input for the Travel Dreams research, which aims to understand how people decide where to go, how they want to book, and what aspects most affect a trip while they are on the road.
According to the report, the channels that now influence travel are also evolving. In the last five years, social media advertisements and travel influencers have gained the greatest sway, while TV commercials, newspapers, and in-person travel agencies have all seen changes in their significance as sources of ideas for future travel destinations. Compared to other nations, 50% of Indian tourists are probably influenced by travel influencers. Just 11% in France, 27% in the US, 21% in the UK, and 16% in Germany.
Sixty-three percent of hotel visitors are ready to pay more for amenities like a particular floor or view, an Xbox in their room, or the inclusion of local activities in their package. In order to have the desired view while in India, tourists would often spend 16% more than the average day fee. According to the report, an average mid-range hotel chain hoping to offer these additional facilities might see an increase in income of about $5,300 per room* year, or around 12%, in the average daily rate (ADR) that the hotel charges.
50% of leisure visitors feel that getting a customized welcome and service would be the most important factor in obtaining their ideal hotel experience, demonstrating their need for the personal touch from hotels. In exchange for personalized offers, more over half of visitors (52%) said they would be prepared to provide personal information (although only 40% were amenable to doing so in exchange for a lower price). A conventional check-in desk with a person to walk them through the hotel services was preferred by almost half (48%) of all leisure visitors. More than half of Indians (53%) believe that greater wellness options, such on-site spas, exercise classes, and mental health retreats, will enhance future travel.
71% of business travelers are interested in online or self-service check-in, indicating that they are seeking more technology in their quest for efficiency. Almost one-third (30%) of tourists in India would rather check in online ahead of time and have keyless access to their hotel. The payments environment may also be changing, as almost a quarter (22%) of business travelers want to be able to pay using cryptocurrency or a digital wallet in the future.
Travelers are losing money because they are not insured. According to a poll of international travelers, they believe they have lost an average of US$1,210 per person as a result of not having travel insurance. This is a substantial amount. According to the typical Indian tourist, not having travel insurance has cost them more than $1,000 USD. In contrast, they estimated that the typical Chinese visitor would spend more than $2,500 per person.
Artificial intelligence and virtual reality are popular among tourists. 66% of leisure visitors and 82% of business travelers said that they would like to use a virtual tour to discover a place before arriving. Eighty-five percent of Indian tourists said they would want to use virtual reality to research a place before they go. Half of all passengers said that they would now rely on AI to inform them of the top dining options available at their trip. According to 18% of tourists, they would even ask an AI assistant to write a review for them on a meal or hotel they had visited while traveling.
Francisco Perez-Lozao Ruter, President, Hospitality, Amadeus, comments on the results, saying: “Our mission is to empower the industry to be able to provide exceptional experiences at every step of the journey, from the moment travelers begin thinking about their trip to the time they return home.”
These kinds of projects demonstrate the diversity of people’s demands based on important variables like their age, place of origin, and the reason for their journey. Hoteliers, destinations, mobility, and travel protection providers can develop customized travel experiences for guests, build profitable demand, and connect the dots throughout the end-to-end human experience by integrating this expertise with cutting-edge new technologies. Collaborating closely with our clients, we are revolutionizing travel.
