Technology is everywhere around us, and is only becoming more advanced as the years go by. This is especially true when looking at how prominent technology has become in the travel industry. Face scanners are being introduced in airports, streamlining the security process. Hotels are utilizing smart keys, reducing the time it takes for travelers to check into their rooms. And mobile apps have become a prominent part of getting around new destinations. Everywhere you go there are advancements in tech, and it’s safe to say that it’s only going to get more advanced going forward.
With all of this new technology being introduced, it can be difficult to keep up with everything going on. But it’s important to learn and know about these upcoming trends so that you can better understand them, and use them to your advantage during your upcoming travels. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started! Here’s everything you need to know about the travel tech revolution, and how it could make a significant impact on your vacation plans.
Airports Are Getting Major Upgrades
One of the most stressful parts of any travel day is going to the airport and getting through security before boarding your flight. At some airports, you may be able to get through security quickly and easily. But for many people, this isn’t the case. Security lines can be very long, and can even cause you to miss your flight. But fortunately, airports are getting some major upgrades to help solve this problem.
One of the most significant updates that some airports are implementing are facial scanners. These scanners can currently only be found in some airports across the world, but more are expected to be added in the near future, possibly even at an airport near you. How it works is that a TSA agent will scan your passport or driver’s license, and the scanner will analyze your face and ensure that it matches your physical photo. The technology can almost instantly match your photo to your physical appearance, saving you a whole lot of time.
The Hotel Check In Process Has Never Been Easier
Checking into your hotel can be a long process, especially if you plan on traveling during the high season. There could be many people in line in front of you, which means that you’re going to have to wait a while to talk to someone about checking into your room. This is just another thing to take up your precious vacation time, which is something that you definitely don’t want.
Thankfully, many hotels and resorts are veering away from the traditional hotel check in process, and are implementing self check in. Nowadays, hotels are using smart keys to make the process go seamlessly. Instead of having to talk to someone at the reservation counter, guests can now check in using their phones, and then get a smart key sent directly to their mobile device. This key can be used to get into your hotel room, without ever having to speak to someone.
Use Mobile Apps For All Your Travel Needs
There are millions of mobile apps on the market, and a lot of these apps can be used to help you while on vacation. No matter if you need assistance navigating a new city, are looking for the best restaurants around town, want to communicate with locals in a different language, or need to book a vacation rental, there’s an app out there for you to use during your trip.
If you want to start utilizing apps on your phone but aren’t sure where to begin, here are 3 of our favorite travel apps that we use on almost every trip:
Hopper
Hopper is a wonderful app to use while planning for your upcoming vacation. All you have to do is create an account and tell Hopper your travel plans (where and when you want to go). Then, Hopper will keep track of things such as airline ticket prices and hotel prices, and let you know when it’s the best time to reserve them to save you the most money.
Google Maps
Navigating a new city can be somewhat difficult, and you may not know how to get around. This is why we highly recommend you always have Google Maps downloaded and with you while traveling. You can use Google Maps to get you to your destination while driving, biking, or walking, and the app can even show you what restaurants, hotels, stores, and landmarks are nearby.
Tripadvisor
You have so many options when it comes to restaurants while on vacation, that it can be hard to know which are the best. Fortunately, Tripadvidsor is here to help! Use Tripadvisor and search for the best places to eat near you, and watch as the app comes up with all of the restaurants around you, along with reviews from real people.
Car Rentals Are Right at Your Fingertips
When you think about renting a car for your vacation, you may begin to feel a tad overwhelmed. Usually, when you rent a vehicle for your trip, you have to book it in advance, and then spend a long time waiting in line to pick it up at the airport. Not only does this waste your precious vacation time, but it also can be very expensive to rent a car through rental companies at the airport.
But things have changed, and there are a number of different ways that you can rent a vehicle for your trip, including renting a car directly from your phone, and having it delivered to you. Turo is a really unique service that allows you to browse cars available to rent from people in your area. Once you select a car, you can schedule a place and time for it to be delivered to you, and enjoy using it throughout the duration of your trip. This can help save you time by not having to wait at the car rental counter, and may even save you some money, too.
Obtain Your Travel Documents Online
Another thing that you can do now that you couldn’t in the past is get your travel documents online. Back in the day, you used to have to go in and apply for your passport or visa. But now, the process is a whole lot easier. When you choose to obtain your passport or visa with a company like Swift, you can begin the application process online, and complete most of the steps from the comfort of your home.
If you’re ready to begin filling out your passport, visa, or e-Visa application, head over to our website. After you have completed the checkout process and submitted payment, you will receive a list of documents that you need to send in to our Chicago office. Our team will then process your application, and send your documents to you once they’re ready. No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
What are some of your favorite new advancements in travel technology? Further, what are some questions that you have about these new advancements? Let us know in the comments!
