During the pandemic, the ability to travel internationally diminished significantly. In the years since, interest in the idea rose. Overall, 95 percent of individuals under the age of 45 expressed a desire to travel internationally, with 87 percent wanting to do so as quickly as possible.
But traveling internationally comes with challenges. Additionally, the travel industry itself has its own obstacles to overcome. The potential of AI within the travel industry is significant, and includes technologies that could assist with anything from enhancing customer service to improving baggage handling.
By 2026, the travel and hospitality artificial intelligence (AI) market is estimated to exceed $1.2 billion based on its forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7 percent. Here’s a look at just some of the ways that AI is transforming the travel industry.
How AI Is Transforming the Travel Industry
AI Chatbots
AI-supported chatbots have been part of the broader communication landscape for years, but their use in the travel industry continues to evolve each and every day. Companies in the travel industry are using the technology to provide answers to frequently asked questions, assist with booking, and otherwise provide a tech-forward option for customer service.
The use of virtual concierge chatbots is increasing significantly. Along with providing information about a company’s services, the technology can offer guidance on local attractions, restaurants, transportation options, and other points of interest.
Sentiment Analysis
Sentiment analysis is a process where reviews on various destinations and amenities are assessed to determine how they’re received by the broader public. The process can reveal striking insights, including understandings that benefit the travel industry and tourists.
Companies operating within the industry can use the revealed trends to identify differentiators and areas for improvement. In turn, they can enhance their services more strategically, ensuring they’re meeting the broader needs of their customers.
Travel industry companies can also leverage the information to improve the customer experience. For example, AI may empower businesses to provide more personalized activity recommendations, as they can potentially factor in details like the composition of the tourist’s traveling party to identify suggestions that are most likely to appeal to that specific group.
Translation and Interpretation
For travelers heading to a country who don’t speak the local language, AI translation and interpretation tools are making effective communication simpler. For widely used languages – such as Spanish – these AI-backed tools offer a reasonable degree of accuracy, particularly when used for relatively common words and phrases. As a result, they can often meet many of the needs of tourists.
However, AI translation and interpretation tools can’t guarantee accuracy. Whether they’re suitably correct is primarily dependent on whether the AI has sufficient resources within its database to functionally understand the language. With languages that aren’t as widely used online, the data is often lacking. As a result, inaccuracies are common when it comes to lesser-used languages.
Still, these tools are continuing to evolve. As a result, they may assist both travel professionals and tourists more effectively in the future.
AI-Supported Robotic Technology
Through the use of AI-supported robotic technology, travel industry businesses can extend the concept of the virtual assistant to add a physical component. The robots can not only communicate with tourists verbally – providing information about a location, offering personalized recommendations, or assisting with interpretation – but also perform tasks like carrying baggage to a visitor’s hotel room.
Essentially, AI-supported robotic technology can balance automation with engagement. This makes the experience feel more personalized, and even a bit novel, leading to an improved customer experience.
Are You Looking for a Capable Translator or Interpreter?
While AI technology is making strides in the world of effective communication, issues with accuracy do continue, particularly when it comes to languages not broadly used online. Since effective communication is critical for international travel, having access to a professional, skilled translator or interpreter remains essential for many companies in the travel industry.
Acutrans provides high-quality certified document translations in 24 hours, allowing companies to ensure that relevant documentation or online resources are accurately translated into the target languages. At Acutrans, we also have post-editing machine translation and localization services available, ensuring AI translations are accurate and that materials target the correct audience.
Along with translation, Acutrans has a team of reliable, experienced translators and a program that covers more than 200 languages. Video remote, over-the-phone, and on-site interpretation services are all available. Contact us for a free quote today.