Phases of Modernization in Travel Industry with Mobile Apps

Nowadays, as technology stretches its horizons, we must remove the word “impossible” from our lives. Everything that seems far from sight or reality is now evident around us. 

Transformation is unfolding at every tap, and nothing is out of reach for those poised at the forefront of tech. It is a modern world intersected by AI, data analysis, and machine learning, enabling the automation of the travel industry, making trip experiences more enjoyable.

The Normal Trip Plan Scenario: Without Internet or an AI Travel Booking System

Let's reflect on the decade around 1990 or before. We need to travel somewhere. How will the process be used to plan a trip, whether it is a professional trip or a family trip? We will first ask in our circle how the place is and how to reach the destination. 

• What needs to be done after reaching there? 

• Is there any stay facility, or if the train or bus doesn’t go to that rural area, how can we continue our journey after reaching the city?

• What was the fare? 

• Which is the best transportation medium to reach that destination? 

This process is so time-consuming, draining, and stressful. 

What if we don’t get the confirmed berth/ seats directly from the platform or bus stand?

Alternatively, if our minds change and we don't travel on the scheduled date, the money will go to waste. 

The Scenario After the Emergence of the Online Travel Booking System

Then, after the 1990s, computers were in homes, and travel agents handled ticket bookings. So we also used to connect with different travel agents that charge commissions to avail of berths and seats. They have billboards from and to the destination with the fare charges imprinted. 

We can query and compare one by one, and we can also ask to reduce the fare, but there is also some inequality, sometimes partiality toward other passengers. Lastly, whoever best suits the budget, we lock in the choice. 

There are the terms and conditions of the agents. There is a 1%-10 % chance that the agent will cancel the ticket or return the money.

The Scenario After the Emergence of the Static Travel Booking Websites

People started taking an interest in technology after the 1990s in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, particularly in urban areas, through websites. You may also hear the names of Expedia, TripAdvisor, and booking.com. It enables easy screen browsing for the best affordable flight and hotel package. Giving the sense of comfort and convenience by just hitting the cursor.

Customers used to search the web by entering their travel mode and destination, and these online travel platforms displayed the listings. 

Many customers faced an issue: they didn't know how to access these websites or enter the required details. They were still dependent on someone to manually fill in the details. Also, it requires time from searching to the itinerary. You were looking for bookkeeping or data entry jobs. Sometimes gets exhausting, too. 

The Scenario After the Emergence of the Online Travel Apps

Although we have the internet and dedicated online travel booking systems to make travel more convenient, it was not so before. 

Yet something is still missing: user control over their trip. 

Finally, the technology evolved, and the dawn of travel tech became a reality with online travel apps taking everything from manual to social.

By 2010, everyone could access smartphones and the internet. Thus, people can plan their experience with utmost convenience. MakeMyTrip, Airbnb, Skyscanner, goibibo, etc., are just a tap away. 

Here, users can compare hotel and flight prices and availability within a few minutes and receive all confirmations. These apps have also accessed geotracking, map access, and digital payment. 

Apart from this, initially, whatever travel agents found most profitable for them, they used to suggest to us. But now with these websites and apps, we can check reviews and feedback for all means of booking, including flights and hotels. 

These apps also enable accessibility to share their itinerary experience. We can post feedback, reviews, and ratings, along with photos of the destination and flights, as people tend to trust word of mouth. So, this accessibility improved the visibility of online travel booking apps, and travellers were on the move.

From discovering flights to planning the stay to confirming payment on the go, it's possible. It is genuinely the digital-driven era that stirs spontaneity, flexibility, and a fluid, fast-trip experience.

Now, whether you're planning solo, with family, or for corporate travel every week, you just need a phone and signal connectivity. This thing actually removed intermediaries like travel agents or the need to visit a direct booking counter. Saves time and effort both. 

AI driven Online Apps: How They Changed Trip Planning, Booking, and Experiences

It is an advanced milestone the travel industry has witnessed so far, as it can anticipate user expectations before they head to the app. It automatically displays notifications about offers and updates the relevant content across social media platforms where they usually spend their time.

These AI-driven online apps keep human needs in the loop, analyze their activity and behaviour, and also fetch previous trip details for frequent travelers. For regular visitors, these apps offer rewards, cashback, and itinerary planning so users can keep engaging and revisit the app.

These apps are built on a spectrum of technologies, including AI, Machine learning, cloud computing, hyper-personalization, data intelligence, etc. NLP has also joined the domain, making travel experiences effortless and efficient with a single tap.

Users can engage with the AI chatbots integrated with these apps to make searches faster and more direct. Ask for cancellation support or showcase the different categories, the best time to travel, and trip suggestions in any preferred language.

All barriers, whether in the booking process or in communications, are now resolved, and users can have a well-structured, automated experience with optimized results. 

Below, we have mentioned one of our online travel booking apps, Navan, which is powered by the latest technologies and AI integrations, making the travel experience efficient and effortless.