travel changes

Changes are coming for future travel-be ready and be aware of what these changes mean to you and your travel experience.

THE END OF AIRPORT LINES

There are now various systems coming that will usher in a shorter airport line experience.

Biometrics–  This is the process of identification (automatically verifying one’s identity via fingerprints, facial recognition or iris scans).  While somewhat controversial, it is  quickly becoming the technology of choice at airports worldwide.

The European Union plans to roll out an automated entry-exit system in 2024.  They uses fingerprints and facial images to identify foreign travelers and streamline border control checks.

Emirates has created a “biometric pathway” at Dubai International Airport that enables passengers to pass through immigration and boarding without presenting their documents.

Airlines are also adopting biometric identification.

While it is becoming more common in airports, American airlines are also adopting their own systems.  American Airlines, United and Delta have been experimenting with biometric check-in. Also, bag drops and boarding gates at select airports for the last couple of years.

The End of Lost Luggage?

Has this happened to you?  You arrive in a foreign country only to spend the first day of vacation stocking up on underwear, toiletries and essential clothing while your luggage takes an unexpected detour.

Travellers are turning to devices like SmartTags, Tile Pros and AirTags to keep track of their belongings. Others opt for sophisticated suitcases like the Samsara’s Tag Smart, which includes an integrated AirTag that syncs with Apple’s Find My app and uses Bluetooth to track the bag’s location.

In the not too distant future, we’ll likely see digital bag tags containing RFID transmitters.  These will replace paper tags– an evolution that would save time at check-in while simultaneously making tracking and identifying luggage easier for airlines.

Alaska Airlines, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, and some other airlines, have partnered with Dutch digital bag tag pioneer BAGTAG. Such products enable travelers to register and activate their luggage tag at home, then drop luggage at a self-service kiosk and track it via an app.

This is surely a growing field and other providers will be entering the marketplace.  This is also an area where AI make make it’s presence known.

CHANGES COMING TO TRAVEL-ACCOMMODATIONS

Eco Friendly Hotels

Not all of the new travel developments are on the technical side.  Hotels are now becoming more eco friendly without sacrificing the design and comfort of their properties.

The Hilton Hotel chain opened the Hotel Marcel New Haven, (View Here) as part of their Tapestry collection in May of 2022.   1,000 PV panels on the roof power the day-to-day operations of the hotel.

Even in the Arctic Circle, changes are coming that will reduce the impact on the environment.  When it opens in 2024, the Six Senses Svart Hotel (view here)  will not only be solar- powered, but will have a zero-waste restaurant and efficient waste and water management systems.  This hotel aims to help eco-minded travelers responsibly explore the polar region.

Language will no longer be a barrier-This is not something coming in the future, but is here now.

Google’s Pixel BudsP can either translate what’s being said directly into your ear or share a transcription so you can follow along.

The company has also been working on wearable augmented-reality glasses that display translated text on the lenses in real-time.

Another company, Mymanu, also offers auto voice translation via its CLIK S earbuds.

All of these new ideas should bring us closer to loving travel again and giving us a greater understanding of the people we share this world with and help make travel as enjoyable as it was in “the good old days”.

As a traveller myself, I can’t wait to see these changes and be able to help my clients realize the joy of travelling again.  Contact me at https://www.unique-journeys.com and let’s get started on exploring our world.