The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group have unveiled the report Technology Game Changers: Future Trends in Travel & Tourism at ITB Berlin, spotlighting innovations set to revolutionize the industry.

This groundbreaking report explores 16 transformative technologies shaping the future across four major trends: Digital Technologies, Financial Technologies, Future of Mobility, and Breakthrough Innovations.

Travel Reinvented

By the end of the decade, AI agents won’t just automate travel searches and bookings; they could match human intelligence across many tasks, transforming travel and tourism as we know it. Quantum computing could soon optimize global air traffic in real-time and unlock next frontiers in space travel and deep-sea tourism.

Supersonic flight is set to return, with companies like Boom Technology and United planning to carry passengers at speeds unimaginable just a generation ago. Meanwhile, smart cities with driverless cars will redefine tourist experiences.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, stated, “The Travel & Tourism sector is in the midst of a digital revolution… businesses that embrace these advancements today will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
(Translation: La industria del turismo y la hostelería está en medio de una revolución digital… las empresas que adopten estos avances hoy serán los líderes de mañana.)

Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director at Trip.com Group, added, “Today’s travellers expect a planning and booking process that is intuitive and efficient.”
(Translation: Los viajeros de hoy esperan que el proceso de planificación y reserva sea intuitivo y eficiente.)

Key Insights

• AI Revolutionising Travel: 94% of industry leaders see AI as mission-critical.
• Super Apps Redefining Seamless Travel: 97% of travellers want a single platform for all travel needs.
• Greener Travel Takes Off: Sustainable initiatives are becoming the norm in travel.
• Space Tourism Lifts Off: Commercial space travel is rapidly approaching reality.

The report stresses the critical need for investment in digital skills and regulatory frameworks to unlock the full potential of these technologies. With 91% of travel businesses planning to increase their tech investments, the industry is on the brink of its most significant transformation since the emergence of the internet.