The Internet of Things IoT continues to grow at a steady pace, changing the world as we know it.
Gartner’s analysis claim there will be around 20 billion connected devices in use by 2020. According to IDC, in 2025, there will be 41.6 billion IoT connected things generating 79.4 zettabytes (ZB) of data.
IoT technology affects almost every industry one way or another, including one of the fastest-growing global sectors: travel and tourism.
Being one of the largest and most competitive industries, the travel sector benefits from The Internet of Things in many ways. IoT enables a greater customer experience, further automation, personalization, and streamlining day-to-day tasks in hotels or travel companies.
A number of airlines are already moving things with IoT, by investing and introducing IoT programs meant to improve the passenger experience. According to SITA 2015 Airline IT Trends Survey, 86% of the airline companies believe IoT will provide clear benefits involving the technology.
The benefits and opportunities of IoT in aviation are endless – smart air cabins that can monitor a passenger’s temperature and alert a crew member to take specific action, embedded sensors in the passengers’ seats which can measure the anxiety level, hydration level, heart rate of travelers, allowing the cabin crew to meet their needs.
In 2015, Qantas Airways in partnership with Samsung Electronics revealed the industry-first virtual reality experience transformed into 2 modes-Smartphone app or VR headset allowing travelers to explore destinations before booking a flight.
IoT has proved effective in solving one of travel’s biggest headaches: lost baggage. American Airline Company Delta became the first U.S carrier to use Radio Frequency Identification baggage tracking technology baggage. Passengers can track the location of their baggage via push notifications on Delta’s mobile app.
With the help of IoT online travel agencies such as Justfly have made the process of finding the best possible flight for an affordable price much easier. When looking for a flight, JustFly provides numerous options for getting travelers where they need to go. Using a proprietary technology JustFly allows the passengers to view countless options in parallel.
Besides improving the passenger overall flight experience, IoT can help in reducing the ecological footprint. Since 2012, AirAsia has partnered with GE and its Flight Efficiency Services to “identify and realize fuel savings.” By allowing the airline to follow precise navigation routes, analyzing flight data, the airline can optimize aircraft utilization and fuel use.
The hospitality industry is also taking advantage of the many benefits of IoT with an essential goal of providing customers with a better experience and save on energy costs.
The Internet of Things allows hotel owners a number of opportunities to improve their business model by optimizing hotel conditions, delivering a personalized guest experience, reducing waiting time and with automation allowing a real-time data which can help in identifying problems in a timely manner or preventing the same from occurring.
IoT in the hotel industry works great in terms of streamlining the customer experience as much as possible.
Many hotels are investing in a seamless check-in process, with app-based electronic key cards, smartphones that when used can automatically check-in guests without them stopping at the front desks.
Another notable upgrade is the improved and personalized in-room experience, with the room control systems where guests can adjust the lighting and room temperature using a smartphone, and connected minibars that can immediately detect a traveler’s section.
One of the most impressive and amusing use of IoT in the hotel industry is the Robot Butler revolutionizing the room service experience and taking over hotels by storm.
In 2018, Yotel Boston introduced a purple guest services droid named YO2D2 to greet guests, deliver items to rooms, and even entertain guests by dancing.
Prominent hotel chains such as Hilton are using Machine-to-machine (M2M) technology to provide guests with the best experience. The Hilton chain app allows guests using the app to check-in, request items to be delivered to their room, and get access to other areas of the property (such as the pool or gym).
The Internet of Things offer the travel industry a myriad of opportunities. With connected devices, back-end operations for airlines, cruises, rental cars, hotels are being streamlined. At the same time, data is collected from these devices are allowing companies to deliver a more personalized experience to travelers and guests alike.
Unquestionably, the Internet of Things is changing the way we travel, and it helps the industry to evolve. By connecting devices, collected data, and the myriad of possibilities an opportunities, IoT will allows the travel industry the ability to provide the customer with superior travel experience.
Branded series by Justfly
By Mark Goldstein
