It’s time for the world to go crazy predicting what is going to happen this year, despite the major surprises 2016 brought us.
The travel industry is not immune to the risky business of guessing the future, and a few overarching trends look set to continue throughout 2017. The first is the rise of chat bots in helping users to find information or make bookings, including the Mildred bot from German airline Lufthansa. Mildred guides you through the company website, assisting you in finding the cheapest available fare, and similar technology looks set to proliferate in 2017.
Another advance will see digital wallets become far more common in the travel sector. While Apple Pay and Google Android Pay have been making an impact in retail, 2017 looks set to be the year travel companies get on board. Qatar Airways joined the trend early, introducing Apple Pay for bookings through its mobile app in November 2016, and other airlines are sure to follow.
In terms of accommodation, there looks to be a growing shift toward refined luxury rather than old world opulence. Boutique hotels are focusing on quality beds, linen and furnishings, rather than overwrought and fussy stylings.
The good news for those that like the open water is sailing is set to become a more accessible holiday activity. A new wave of affordable sailing trips means more people than ever before will be able to explore the seas, visiting destinations such as the Zanzibar Spice Islands that were previously the reserve of luxury travelers.
Keep your eye out for these travel trends for 2017, and see if you can spot any of your own throughout the year.
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