79383

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip. com Group have released a groundbreaking report that explores 16 transformative technologies reshaping the future of the tourism industry.

The report explores four major trends: Digital Technologies, Financial Technologies, Future of Mobility, and Breakthrough Innovations.

Torism Reinvented
This new report suggests that by the end of the decade, AI agents won’t just automate travel searches and bookings – they could match human intelligence across many tasks, transforming Travel & Tourism as we know it.

Quantum computing could soon be solving problems beyond our wildest thinking. From optimising global air traffic in real-time with unprecedented efficiency, to unlocking the next frontiers of space travel and deep-sea tourism, bringing both closer to reality.

Supersonic flight is set to make a spectacular comeback, more than twenty 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 won’t just reshape today’s top destinations – they’ll open doors to places once thought unreachable, redefining the tourist experience for the travellers of tomorrow.

Julia Simpson, President and Chief Executive of WTTC noted “The Travel & Tourism sector is in the midst of a digital revolution. From AI-driven personalisation to advancements in aviation sustainability, innovation is reshaping how we explore the world.

“As travellers 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.”

Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director & Vice President of International Markets at Trip. com Group added “Travellers today expect planning and booking to be intuitive, efficient, and hyper-personalised.

“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.”

The Future of Travel Starts Now
Key insights from the report include:

• AI Revolutionising Travel – 94% of industry leaders see AI as mission-critical. AI-powered assistants like Trip. com’s TripGenie saw a 200% surge in usage in 2024, revolutionising trip planning and customer experiences.
• Super Apps Redefining Seamless Travel – A survey of 8,000 travellers found 97% want a single platform integrating flights, hotels, activities, and payments, for a frictionless journey.
• Greener Travel Takes Off – From Virgin Atlantic’s first-ever 100% sustainable fuel transatlantic flight, to Port Miami’s expansion of shore power, the Tourism sector is advancing towards a more sustainable future.
• Space Tourism Lifts Off – Once a distant dream, commercial space travel is rapidly approaching reality, with infrastructure and demand accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

Driving Industry Transformation
The report underscores the critical need for investment in digital skills and regulatory frameworks to unlock the full potential of these technologies.

With 91% of tourism businesses planning to increase their tech investments, the industry is on the brink of its most significant transformation since the dawn of the Internet.

Featuring exclusive insights from Trip. com Group, Hilton, Qatar Airways, and MSC Cruises, the report highlights how global leaders are already leveraging these cutting edge innovations.

The Technology Game Changers: Future Trends in Travel & Tourism report is available for download here. 

For more information on WTTC 

More about Trip. com Group

Related Articles

24th January 2025 - WTTC reveals need to make sustainable tourism more accessible and attractive

22nd November 2024 - WTTC reveals surge in Tourism industry’s commitment to Net Zero

11th October 2024 - WTTC launches Indigenous Tourism report at Global Summit in Perth

24th September 2024 - WTTC spotlights Covid’s impact on women and youth employment in tourism

20th September 2024 - WTTC announces final list of leaders addressing 24th Global Summit in Perth

4th September 2024 - WTTC predicts China to become largest tourism market over next decade

10th August 2024 - WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics program adopted by 5,000 properties worldwide

26th June 2024 - EverNow Festival to coincide with WTTC Global Summit in Perth

30th May 2024 - Robert Irwin announced as first major speaker for WTTC Global Summit in Perth

3rd May 2024 - WTTC hotel sustainability program verifies 3,400 properties

7th March 2024 - WTTC says sustainability reporting is no longer negotiable for tourism businesses

19th January 2024 - WTTC and Biosphere partner to standardise International Hotel Sustainability

5th December 2023 - WTTC highlights need for tourism industry to reinvent its water strategy efforts

26th October 2023 - WTTC and Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism release latest data on tourism’s impact on the environment

13th July 2023 - WTTC urges governments to support United Nations’ revised strategy for sustainable Cruise Shipping

22nd January 2023 - New WTTC and Trip.com Group report reveals rising demand for sustainable tourism

29th November 2022 - WTTC global survey reveals Australian tourists will be the world’s biggest spenders

22nd September 2022 - WTTC report helps tourism businesses with their role in reversing nature loss

21st April 2022 - Major hotel sustainability initiative launched at WTTC Global Summit in Manila

3rd February 2022 - WTTC reveals tourism industry’s contribution to global GDP could reach $8.6 trillion in 2022

3rd December 2021 - WTTC identifies digital solutions to help governments restore international mobility

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.