Industry 4.0 is not just impacting the travel tips and industry, it is completely changing the way we travel. Where once a traveler either had the option of using a travel agent to make all of their arrangements for them or going through the hassle of making their own individual arrangements, there is now a far more symbiotic relationship between DIY and getting some help. Technology is not only helping you make smarter travel decisions, it is even able to help guide and assist you wherever you may roam. Here are 10 ways technology can help you travel smarter on your next trip.
1. It can help you decide where to go
Deciding where to go on vacation may be one of the toughest parts of making travel arrangements. With so many destinations to choose from, it can be difficult narrowing one down. Whether you are looking for recommendations that fit a certain budget, recommendations based on a certain activity or even recommendations based on your personality, technology can help you figure out your best vacation destination.
2. It can help you pack
Although it contributes to excitement, when you really think about it. Packing is never too much fun. If you need some basic tips on how to do it or if you want a full service app that will help you pack for multiple trips or multiple people, technology can even help you get through that stressful period. And if you don’t want to pack at all, there is even a service that will pack your suitcase for you and ship it wherever you need it.
3. It can keep all your travel plans and documents organized
Many travelers are well-verses in the many ways in which Google maps can help travelers navigate their way around any city, large or small. Google Trips, however, takes that to a whole new level. Google Trips can lift flight and reservation information directly from Gmail and organize it into a smooth, seamless travel itinerary for you. Once you arrive, Google Trips works seamlessly with Google Maps to make dining recommendations, help you find public transportation or even hail an Uber or Lyft for you.
4. It can offer the element of surprise
Have you always longed to have someone show up and take you on a surprise getaway? Well, now there is a service that can do it for you. Pack Up + Go is a travel service that will plan an entire weekend getaway for you – including a surprise destination. They ask you for a budget you would like to spend and then ask some survey questions about the types of locations you would like to travel to and the types of activities you enjoy. Thanks to these newest breakthroughs in technology, services are now all connected. All you usually need is a good Internet connection to place an order or communicate with a chatbot, relax and enjoy stress-free.
5. It is customizable
While some people prefer to simply tell someone where they want to go and have their entire trip planned for them, others want a little more control over their travel plans. Thankfully, there are a wide range of options available for everyone. Cruises give you the freedom to go where you want, while still offering the safety and structure of a guided tour. If you want to have 100% control over all of your travel plans and go it alone, technology makes that possible as well with services like Inspirock and TripHobo.
6. It can help you get the best deals
Not only do services like Priceline and Kayak both allow you to browse hundreds of airlines, hotels and rental cars in one location, but they also each have tools that can help you save even more. Priceline, of course, made its name with the “choose your own price” tool, which they still offer. Instead of browsing list prices, you can make a “bid” on a flight, car, hotel or even a cruise. If Priceline can find a vendor willing to accept your price, you have a deal. Kayak offers a forecasting tool which can tell you if the current price of travel to a given destination is likely to go up or down.
7. It can help you get friendly with the locals
One of the best parts of traveling is getting to meet people totally unlike yourself. In addition, locals generally have the best insights into the best things to see and do when you are traveling. Google Translate, of course can help you do everything from chatting with the locals in their language to order from a menu to even translate words that you see by just using your camera. But technology can do far more than just help you navigate linguistically. Technology can help you find a local tour guide, find the best local restaurants – not just the most trendy ones – and even help you get to know the locals before you even arrive.
8. It can help keep you safe
Technology is not just helping people travel more smoothly, it is also helping people travel more safely. That, in turn, is giving people more confidence to roam. From GPS chips in your smartphone that can help authorities or your traveling companions find you to apps that can help you replace lost travel documents to apps that can help you get medical care, technology is making it safer than ever to stray far from home.
No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, technology can help. From business travel to leisure travel, technology has you covered. And when you want to put away your tech and just absorb the local atmosphere, technology can even help you do that.
Jasmine Williams covers the good and the bad of today’s business and marketing. When she’s not being all serious and busy, she’s usually hunched over a book or dancing in the kitchen, trying hard to maintain rhythm, and delivering some fine cooking (her family says so). Tweet her @JazzyWilliams88
