Glasses that can understand any language and robotic travel companions – a whimsical glimpse into the future of vacationing

THE future of tourism is bursting with new avenues after the pandemic kicked in not only with technological advances but also with people’s desire to travel.

From flying taxis to robotic travel companions, experts expect technology to make vacations of the future more exciting and less stressful.

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Martin Warner, CEO of Autonomous Flight, told The Sun that flying taxis “will change the commuting and tourism landscape”, especially in cities like London or New York.

And they could land in a nearby city sometime in the 2030s for the price of a “high-end Uber fare.”

“In the next ten years we will see a virtual shuttle system forming in the skies over cities like London, with point-to-point routes like London Heathrow to Charing Cross,” Warner said.

“The most advanced major cities will develop to have around eight to ten [sky taxi] Routes, after that time more hubs will of course be added, similar to the London Underground.

“The service is much more like the subway but for flight departure than using the Uber app. But you can buy your ticket and use the QR code to fly.”

On the ground, robots can act as tour guides or even security attendants for solo travelers.

The futurologist Dr. Ian Pearson told The Sun that robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could also become a common feature in hotels.

“Many hotels already have their own channel on the room TV, for advertising, hotel information. It’s likely that this will also include a nice friendly avatar for the hotel AI so people can talk to it and ask questions about local facilities or even book things, just like a concierge service does today,” he said.

“For an additional fee, hotels hire a friendly robot to keep you company and chat with you.”

These robotic travel companions can even replace the selfie stick and help transport luggage through the airport.

dr Pearson also expects augmented reality (AR) headsets to become more popular in the tourism sector.

Apple is expected to launch a line of AR glasses later this year.

dr Pearson urged that these glasses don’t detract from the traditional sightseeing experience, in fact they enhance it.

“By 2028, mixed reality headsets will be the best accessory for travelers, allowing travelers to inhabit drones as if they were actually inside them and experience things and places never seen before,” he said.

“It will be able to provide the most accurate recommendations for travel destinations, hotels and local activities – all in a matter of seconds.

“It will also facilitate the travel experience with tools like instant translation that allow travelers to communicate effectively with people around the world.”

The Metaverse is also expected to revolutionize tourism over the next 10 years, Matthia Goehler, chief technology for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at American software company Zendesk, told The Sun.

According to Goehler, 3D modeling technology will be commonplace in the travel agencies of the future.

“In the future, travel agencies will be able to use technology to create a 3D model of a potential Metaverse vacation destination for their clients.

“They could offer a preview of a state-of-the-art hotel, or a virtual representation of a well-known landmark, or transportation—all possible through virtual reality.

“Not only would this reduce the hours spent scrolling through travel websites, but it will also help simplify the path to purchase for customers.”

Next-generation voice assistants can cut the time spent searching for the best vacation deals in half and cut down on tedious hours of planning.

“Instead of the traditionally tedious process of booking a vacation, customers could ask a voice assistant to book it for them,” he said.

If intelligent enough, the assistant will know who the customer usually travels with, the nearest airport to their home, and their travel preferences.

“Furthermore, this opens the door to upselling other experiences,” Goehler continues.

“The tool already knows they like steak, so why not tell them the best steak spot in town without them having to look for it?”

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