5 Ways IoT Is Reshaping The Travel Industry
With travel being one of the largest industries to experience a lot of competition, customers want to be able to trust a brand that’s not only reasonable in its prices, but also be convenient for them. With that said, companies have turned to Internet of Things, or IoT devices and apps, to beat the competition and gain people’s trust.
With IoTs being utilized in the end operations of the hotels, airlines, etc. by connecting smart devices, systems, and processes, services are starting to become customer-friendly, making pricing cost-effective, and guest experiences more personalized.
Here are five ways in which Internet of Things innovations will impact the travel industry.
- Smart-Speaker-Friendly
“Now, most smart speakers can let you check into flights,” says Toby Warren, a tech writer at Paper fellows and Revieweal. “For example, Amazon’s smart speaker Alexa can not only let you order food and book taxis, but you can also check into flights, courtesy of United Airlines. With Alexa, as well as other IoTs like Google Home, you can also find out about flight statuses or available accommodations as you’re traveling. Smart speakers can also act as a checklist for last-minute stuff, so that you’re better prepared for your flight.”
2. More Personalized Hotel Stays
With IoT devices, hotels can accommodate to guests in more ways than ever. Here are some of the ways that hotels are enabling IoT technology in their establishments:
- In-room tablets that let guests controll the TV, adjusting room temperature, scheduling wake-up calls, etc.
- Electronic key cards on guests’ smartphones, making checking-in a breeze
- Smart locks with NFC readers allowing guests to access VIP facilities with added security
3. Rental Car Tracking
Rental car companies are being more open to the prospect of having IoT devices make services easier for customers.
One example is Hertz, which has already introduced a service called Hertz 24/7, which lets you rent a car with an accompanying app. How it works is that when you rent a car, you get a key fob with a reader (which is behind the windshield of the rental car). The key fob opens the car, allowing the renter to take the keys from the car’s ignition. The rental cars are also equipped with voice features, which allow drivers to contact customer support, should they run into any problems.
On the other hand, car rental centers can track whenever cars are returned, and when a car hasn’t been returned by the agreed-upon time.
4. Luggage Trackers
So, what happens when you lose your luggage? It makes you feel bad about travelling to your destination. And, all you can do is hope that the baggage claims workers know what they’re doing and get you your luggage back in a timely manner (which, most of the time, never happens). But thanks to IoT-enabled luggage trackers, finding lost luggage has never been less stressful.
For instance, by using an associated app and telling the luggage counter agent about your lost luggage, they can use this information as a way to track your bag(s) and give it back to you ASAP.
Although these trackers end to cost nearly $400, it’s still a good investment, so that you can spend less time worrying, and more time enjoying your travel experience.
5. Better Maintenance
“IoTs will also work behind-the-scenes, even before you board a plane,” says Kara Miles, a business blogger at Eliteassignmenthelp and Study demic. “Sensors on airplane parts and jet engines will provide real-time information about the parts and systems of the aircraft, and when to either repair or replace said parts and systems. Also, IoT applications would help people improve the overall fuel cost and consumption, giving instructions on when and where to refuel, along with tips on how much to save for fuel.”
Conclusion
Although these are just a few examples of how IoT tech can change the many aspects of travel, it’s good to know that more and more brands and companies are looking to IoTs to make their services better. This allows you, the traveler, to get the most out of your experience by having everything tailored to you — from your flight, to your hotel stay, and to rentals. As for these brands and companies that have taken to utilizing this technology, they’ll see revenue pouring in, as they gain more customers’ business and trust.
Molly Crockett writes and edits for Australianhelp.com and Oxessays.com. She also writes about proofreading and digital trends on Bigassignments.com. As a marketing writer, she shares her unique lifestyle and personal development advice with her audience.
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