A Guide to Improving Services in the Travel and Hospitality Industry

Mehar Jolly
8 Min Read

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As the travel and hospitality industry continues to evolve, we asked industry leaders and specialists, including founders and CEOs, to share one specific way businesses could or are using AI in their operations. From implementing AI-driven chatbots for customer service to offering AI for customized touring recommendations, this article presents a diverse range of insights into the innovative applications of AI in this dynamic industry.

  • Implement AI-Driven Chatbots for Customer Service
  • Foster a Deep Understanding of Individual Preferences
  • Empower Language-Translation Services
  • Help with Predictive Maintenance in Hotels
  • Research Visa Regulation Updates
  • Automate Travel Planning 
  • Tailor a Tour Schedule
  • Offer Customized Travel Recommendations

Implement AI-driven chatbots for Customer Service

Fahd Khan, Director of Marketing and Technology, JetLevel Aviation

Fahd Khan, Director of Marketing and Technology, JetLevel Aviation

In the tours and hospitality industry, AI is revolutionizing personalized customer service. A specific application is the use of AI-driven chatbots on websites and mobile apps. These chatbots can handle a range of customer queries, from providing information on touring destinations to assisting with bookings and offering real-time journey updates.

For instance, at JetLevel Aviation, we’re exploring AI chatbots to enhance our client interaction. These bots can swiftly provide clients with flight options, answer FAQs, and even assist in the preliminary booking process. This not only improves efficiency but also ensures that clients receive immediate and personalized responses at any time of the day.

Such AI applications not only enhance customer experience but also free up human staff to handle more complex queries and tasks, thereby improving overall service efficiency and customer satisfaction in the sector.

Foster a Deep Understanding of Individual Preferences

Ronan McLoughlin, Founder, Dream Overwater Bungalows

Ronan McLoughlin, Founder, Dream Overwater Bungalows

In the touring and hospitality industry, businesses are increasingly employing AI to enhance personalized customer experiences through predictive analytics. 

By analyzing vast sets of data, including past trip behaviours, preferences, and online interactions, AI algorithms can anticipate individual customer needs and tailor recommendations accordingly. This goes beyond basic booking suggestions and includes personalized itineraries, dining recommendations, and activity suggestions. 

The system adapts to evolving customer preferences, creating a more nuanced and tailored approach to customer service. This not only streamlines the planning process for tourists but also fosters a stronger sense of customer loyalty by demonstrating a deep understanding of individual preferences and delivering a more customized and enjoyable experience.

Empower Language-Translation Services

David Bui, Director and Business Specialist, Schmicko

David Bui, Director and Business Specialist, Schmicko

One specific way businesses have been able to leverage AI to provide enhanced customer experiences is through language-translation services. Language-translation services powered by AI can be used during customer-service engagements with tourists at airports or hotels, providing an invaluable convenience for guests who don’t speak the local language.

For example, a hotel employee can use this technology to interact with guests in their native language while still communicating within the constraints of their own native tongue. In addition, some airlines have employed similar tactics for flight crews who need to communicate effectively across multiple languages without having to rely on costly third-party translators.

Help with Predictive Maintenance in Hotels

Guy Sharp, Relocation Manager, Andorra Guides

Guy Sharp, Relocation Manager, Andorra Guides

One innovative use of AI revolves around predictive maintenance for facilities. Hotels are increasingly adopting AI systems to predict potential equipment failures before they occur. This technology utilizes data analytics and machine learning algorithms to assess the condition of various facility components, from HVAC systems to elevators. 

This not only enhances the overall guest experience by preventing inconveniences like unexpected outages but also contributes to cost savings by avoiding costly emergency repairs. By anticipating issues before they escalate, hotels can schedule proactive maintenance, minimizing downtime and ensuring optimal facility operations.

Research Visa Regulation Updates

Grzegorz Robok, Chief Executive Officer, VisaFly

Grzegorz Robok, Chief Executive Officer, VisaFly

I see a specific and highly impactful way AI can be utilized in the visa industry: keeping up-to-date with the ever-changing visa regulations and laws across different countries. The complexity and dynamic nature of visa requirements makes AI an invaluable tool in this sector.

We could program AI systems to constantly monitor and analyze changes in visa regulations globally. This includes updates on entry requirements, document specifications, and processing times. With AI, we could provide our clients with the most current information, ensuring a smoother and more reliable visa application process. This is particularly crucial in a world where regulations can change rapidly because of factors like political shifts or global health crises.

However, implementing AI in this context is not without its challenges. The accuracy of AI-driven updates depends heavily on the quality of the data input. This is where the human element becomes critical.

Automate Travel Planning 

Hammer Tsui, Travel Blogger, A Fun Couple

Hammer Tsui, Travel Blogger, A Fun Couple

As a frequent tourist, I use AI to streamline and personalize my own experiences. AI algorithms analyze my preferences, past patterns, and real-time data to suggest destinations, accommodations, and activities tailored to my liking. 

Chatbots assist in quick and efficient planning, answering queries, and providing real-time information. Businesses in this industry can adopt a similar approach by incorporating AI into their platforms. 

Companies can offer more personalised and efficient services by understanding customer preferences and automating routine tasks, such as itinerary generation and booking. This not only saves time for tourists but also enhances overall customer satisfaction, making AI a valuable asset in the industry.

Tailor a Tour Schedule

Axel Hernborg, Founder and CEO, Tripplo

Axel Hernborg, Founder and CEO, Tripplo

In the upcoming years, there will probably be a rise in mobile applications that offer individualized end-to-end planning, which will cause planning to evolve. These applications will likely offer new features like safe-travel-zone recommendations and wearable technology integration for passenger health tracking.

Offer Customized Recommendations

James Smith, Owner, Travel-Lingual

James Smith, Owner, Travel-Lingual

One of the most cutting-edge uses of AI is in the area of personalized customer experiences. AI algorithms are being used by businesses to analyze customer behaviour, preferences, and previous interactions to create customized recommendations. Whether recommending dreamy destinations or curating custom itineraries, AI is turning the tourists’ experience into an individualized and personalized journey.

As this industry’s veteran, I’ve seen firsthand how AI-driven chatbots improve customer service by providing real-time support and answering questions quickly and effectively. Not only does this make operations more efficient, but it also increases customer satisfaction, which is a win for both businesses and customers.

Last Updated on by NamitaSoren

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By Mehar Jolly Interview & Social Media Team Head
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Mehar Jolly is the Interview Team Head for Icy Tales, conducting interviews and writing on health professionals, celebrities, writers, nutritionists, speakers, authors, and more. With a Journalism degree and over five years of experience, she is a leader in her own right.