The Future of Travel Is “Frictionless”
Travelers are looking for a combination of technology- and human-led solutions to reduce travel’s greatest stressors
Travel is back and stronger than ever. With more flexible guardrails on when and where we work, as well as events and conferences filling up corporate calendars, people are embracing their increased mobility and, once again, hitting the road for both personal and professional reasons.
According to Skift’s “State of Travel 2022” report,” globally, the travel industry is almost back to where it was in 2019. The report gives current global tourism levels a “Global Index Score” of 86 out of its 2019 baseline of 100. In the U.S., air travel is back to 95% of 2019 levels, marking an almost full recovery.
That said, the road to recovery has had a few speed bumps. As we all re-emerged, eagerly reuniting with friends and family, attending long-postponed celebrations, and connecting with co-workers old and new, travel at times was difficult and frustrating. So it comes as no surprise that travelers are increasingly seeking ways to simplify their future travel experiences.
According to a new Hilton report, “The 2023 Traveler: Emerging Trends that are Innovating the Travel Experience,” people are looking for “frictionless” travel to streamline their trips. The research found that 56% of travelers are seeking options that will make travel easier in 2023 and embracing a combination of technology- and human-led innovation that promises to do just this.
“Despite our increasingly digital world, travelers are still searching for human connections,” said Chris Silcock, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Hilton. “People are looking for easy, convenient ways to meet their needs. They want to adopt digital solutions for transactional activities and to have more choice and control to personalize their stay. But they also crave a personal touch — a hotel team member who will recognize them, engage with them, call them by name, and answer their questions thoughtfully.”
CONVENIENCE IS KING
With the COVID-19 pandemic ushering in a new era of technology, more people have come to expect convenience at their fingertips—using their phone to shop, pay, and navigate their every day. This trend towards convenience is extending into the travel space. In fact, 26% of Hilton’s global survey respondents said they anticipate hotel technologies will be important for a seamless stay.
