Beyond ‘Tuesday Booking’: How AI is revolutionizing travel with examples and benefits

It’s no secret that AI in travel is widespread in the industry. We’ve already seen it transform nearly every aspect of our journeys.

If you’re like me, you used to wait until Tuesday to book flights because at some point, someone told us, “Flights are always cheapest on Tuesday.” Whether or not that’s true remains a mystery, but I did it anyway. Now, thanks to AI, a travel app tells me to “WAIT” in bright red letters because prices will be lower in the future.

This is just one simple example of AI at work. But modern travel organizations that fully embrace AI and embed it into their processes stand to gain massive benefits that go way beyond telling their travelers when to book flights… or not.

AI in travel: Surpassing traveler expectations

AI is reshaping the global travel industry as it continues to recover from the pandemic.

While a huge increase in demand is expected to help the industry dig out from the lows it hit during COVID, global recovery has been mixed, according to a World Economic Forum report.

The report analyzes and scores travel and tourism in 119 countries, and showed an average score just 0.7% above pre-pandemic levels.

The industry continues to face many challenges, including macroeconomic and environmental risks, ongoing labor shortages, and air route capacity shortfalls, the report noted.

Examples of AI enhancing travel experiences

Delivering exceptional traveler experiences can be a key differentiator, and AI is revolutionizing the ability for brands to go above and beyond customer expectations.

Here are a few examples of AI elevating travel experiences:

1. Ultra-personalized recommendations: AI can analyze massive amounts of customer history, customer reviews, and profiles with similar attribute to offer amazingly tailored suggestions.
2. Around-the-clock customer service: AI-powered chatbots are getting smarter and smarter every minute and are highly informed on what seems to be unlimited topics — from refunds to re-bookings that can be managed 24/7.
3. Optimized itineraries: AI can analyze real-time data and user preferences to predict pricing and optimize travel dates to desirable locations.

Benefits of AI in streamlining travel operations

Today nearly every organization in the travel industry is tasked to do more with less. That’s why AI and automation are so crucial; they help make the most of scarce resources. By using AI and automating manual processes, travel businesses can streamline operations to free up their employees for more important and strategic initiatives.

Here are three benefits of AI in travel operations:

1. Eliminate manual data entry and repetitive tasks: AI can reduce errors associated with duplicate data entry and automate other manual task to get work done faster with more accuracy.
2. Predict equipment maintenance needs: AI can help reduce downtime and increase availability by scheduling when equipment, vehicles and properties are due for ongoing maintenance.
3. Automate staff scheduling: AI can automatically predict staffing needs based on bookings to ensure you’ll have just enough staff on hand at all times to ensure optimal traveler and employee experiences.

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Streamlining regulatory compliance with AI

Keeping pace with constantly changing international rules and regulations, sophistical fraud schemes, and personal data privacy laws is challenging for any company. But they need to get it right or risk penalties for non-compliance: hefty fines, restrictions, or damages to the company’s reputation.

By implementing AI capabilities, travel organizations can adhere compliance regulations while protecting both their company and customers’ interests.

1. Ensure bookings meet compliance rules for the destination: AI speeds consumption of constantly changing global laws and regulations to help ensure bookings adhere to compliance requirements in all regions of the world.
2. Detect fraud faster: AI can detect fraudulent travel documents, suspicious travel routes, credit card fraud, bookings by watch-listed individuals, fake reviews, and other suspicious activities.
3. Keep customer data secure & private: AI can help organizations comply with regulations around GDPR, biometric authentication, and ensure encryption of traveler data is using the most up-to-date methods.

Now boarding

From ultra-personalized travel recommendations, to automating regulatory monitoring, AI and automation can improve nearly every touchpoint in the travel industry.

So whether it’s Tuesday or any another day, now’s the time to adopt and embrace these technology innovations. Buckle up, and get ready for take-off!