Artificial intelligence is a net positive for travel, according to a show-of-hands after a lively debate that rounded off the Technology Summit at this year’s WTM London. The role of AI in travel was debated by two teams who considered the straightforward proposition of whether the now ubiquitous tech is “the enemy of travel?”
The International Air Transport Association’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) highlights two key trends that are redefining the passenger travel experience: More travellers are managing every stage of their journey using smartphones; and use of biometrics and digital identity is expanding to enable more seamless airport processing – and travellers like it.
Sabre has launched SabreMosaic Concierge IQ for airlines, an all-in-one generative AI chat solution that helps travellers plan, book, and manage trips in one seamless conversation. Moreover, according to the travel technology giant, it does so with the “same empathy and judgement as a skilled human agent” while accomplishing what otherwise would be hours-long work in seconds.
Digital travel tools such as smartphone-based passports, smart glasses and live translation apps are gaining traction among global travellers, especially younger respondents. But widespread adoption still faces resistance due to privacy concerns and technological limitations, according to the Global Rescue 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey.
With travellers increasingly turning to tools like ChatGPT as a quick way to plan their trips, an insurance expert is warning that users might not realize the potential travel disruptions they could face caused by misinformation the technology may provide, such as missed flights or incorrect visa information.
Passengers are living digital-first lives. They manage their finances, health, and mobility from their phones. But when it’s time to fly, they’re often still asked to queue, print, and repeat. And that has to change, according to leading aviation industry IT provider SITA, which says passengers are simply demanding that the aviation industry catch up to them.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT and SAP Concur have announced a strategic alliance to launch a new integrated travel and expense platform designed to reshape how technology and services come together in managed travel.
Canadian travellers appear to be embracing the role of artificial intelligence in the travel planning process, according to a new survey by Booking.com. The Global AI Sentiment Report reveals that nearly eight in 10 Canadians (78%) want to use AI in their future travel plans; however, only 4% fully trust it.
Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) has launched several new platform enhancements designed to help travel advisors work more efficiently and better serve their clients. Shaped directly by feedback from travel advisors around the world, TAAP says the updates provide powerful tools that simplify trip management, expand payment flexibility, and offer new ways to increase revenue.
Digital identity protection may be taking a more prominent spot on the packing checklist with nearly half of global consumers (44%) lacking confidence in the travel industry’s ability to protect them from AI-powered fraud including identity theft and account takeover fraud, according to a recent study.
If you haven’t heard, smartphone snatching is a thing. A friend of TIT recently had hers snatched out of her hand while walking down a busy sidewalk in a major European city, describing two young people hopping a curb on a scooter in broad daylight and absconding with the device in a lightning quick drive-by strike.
By Suzanne Sangiovese/ AI is no longer just an emerging trend in travel – it’s a driving force behind smarter, more seamless experiences. It’s proving valuable in destination research and itinerary optimization, as well as transforming how businesses and travellers engage with services. From tailored trip planning to streamlined customer support, intelligent solutions are redefining how the industry operates and meets diverse travel needs.
Toronto-based Skyroute Travel Group has partnered with travel technology provider Farenexus Group to launch NetFaresHub, a next-generation, intelligent booking platform designed to empower travel agencies across the Canadian market.
Expedia Trip Matching is a new first-of-its-kind feature that allows travellers to seamlessly build an itinerary based on reels found on Instagram and then book directly on Expedia. Travellers can share any publicly available travel-related reel – whether from content creators they follow or trending posts – directly with Expedia and receive customized itineraries, destination ideas, and travel tips based on the video.
A new report says automated bot traffic surpassed human-generated traffic for the first time in a decade, constituting 51% of all web traffic in 2024. And while some bot traffic is from good bots, bad bots can have a huge negative impact on a website or application. And that’s bad news for the travel industry, which saw API-directed attacks surge to 44% of advanced bot traffic, with the travel sector topping the list for bot attacks overall.
A new Corporate Traveller (CT) survey conducted by YouGov reveals that while 75% of small and mid-market enterprises (SMEs) are adopting artificial tools for travel management, only one in six fully trust it. But while the trust gap poses a challenge for corporate travel managers, CT warns that with AI adoption accelerating, early adopters could gain a competitive edge – while skeptics risk falling behind.
The German National Tourist Board’s (GNTB) inaugural AI influencer project utilizes artificial intelligence to promote Germany as a travel destination on an international scale. With the launch of ‘Emma’ – an AI-generated influencer – the GNTB has created an interactive brand ambassador designed to virtually inspire potential travellers to visit the European country.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is trialling a new customized screening line, designed so that airports with limited space can employ advanced technology and equipment while speeding passenger checks. Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is the first airport in Canada to trial the new line.
Stunning vacation photos and engaging videos — User Generated Content (UGC) is marketing gold. It’s authentic, shareable, and helps creates a vibrant community of passionate advocates who inspire others to travel. Moreover, it’s exactly what today’s traveller craves. Here’s how it can help your business.
Despite its uncertain status in the US, TikTok continues to shape travel trends, providing travel sellers a golden opportunity to captivate new audiences and ignite interest. Through vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and immersive experiences, travel is perfectly positioned to shine on this fast-growing platform.
New Zealand has relaxed visa requirements for remote workers in a bid to attract more ‘digital nomads’ skilled workers who given an internet connection can work from anywhere on the planet.
With artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly playing a role in trip planning, it only follows that the technology is also increasingly subject to misuse and as a source of scams.
One in three Canadians make errors when planning trips online, according to a new survey commissioned by Flight Centre Canada. Moreover, the research reveals that critical errors made are costing travellers thousands of dollars.
Simplicity, transparency, and trust are the three things travel consumers want from their travel retailers, according to new research from Travelport in its just-released 2025 State of Modern Retailing Report, which, combined with cross-industry insights, highlights key trends the global technology company says will transform the travel industry in 2025.
It’s not news that artificial intelligence is all the rage and that the travel industry – including many travel agents – have begun embracing the new technology for a range of tasks, from business planning and promotion to curating ideal itineraries for clients. So, what, we wondered, does AI actually think of travel advisors?
The chief executive of start-up Riyadh Air, which will take flight this summer, says that boarding passes – both paper and digital – will likely disappear withing five years, to be replaced by biometric scans for passengers.
If 2023 was a year of wonder about artificial intelligence, 2024 was the year to try to get that wonder to do something useful without breaking the bank. So, what’s in store for AI in the year to come?
In a packed session on digital marketing trends at the recent World Travel Market in London, Dan Christian, host of a popular Travel Trends podcast, revealed the trends – from AI and videos to search engine optimization and advertising on TikTok – that are at the forefront of travel marketing today.
If you were having problems with opening Outlook or other Microsoft applications yesterday – you weren’t alone. Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide took to social media to report trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint and Teams.
HotelPlanner has announced what it says is “a world first that will change how customers find and book their hotels.” HotelPlanner.ai is the first end-to-end AI hotel booking assistant with access to book over one million-plus properties worldwide.