Technologies such as virtual reality (VR), robotic assistants and AI chatbots are already facilitating smoother customer experiences across the industry. Global sales of public relations robots are forecasted to hit 66,000 units by 2020, and beacon technology applications in the hospitality sector are projected to be worth USD 72 billion by 2026.<\/p>\n
Charbel Sarkis<\/a>, Regional Head of Travel and Hospitality, Retail and eCommerce \u2013 MENA, Google, said: \u201cMachine learning is not something that\u2019s going to happen in the future. It\u2019s happening right now.<\/p>\n \u201cThe assistance this type of technology provides is very smart. By predicting our behaviour, it can personalise the entire travel experience. If I\u2019m a first-time visitor to Rome, for example, I have different expectations than someone who has been five times before and is returning on business. Machine learning can help to customise the offerings we receive.\u201d<\/p>\n Innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT) could also lead to increased back-of-house efficiency for the sectors such as aviation. Implementing the technology to improve unplanned maintenance costs by just one per cent, for instance, could generate industry-wide savings of up to USD 250 million per annum, according to research conducted by Colliers<\/a> on behalf of ATM.<\/p>\n Matt Raos<\/a>, Senior Vice President Business to Business \u2013 Corporate and Leisure, Emirates, called for GCC travel operators to enhance the end-to-end customer journey by implementing technologies collaboratively.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge we have is that we\u2019re part of a broader ecosystem,\u201d Raos said. \u201cThere is no one player that can do everything for everyone on their own. We need to acknowledge that we\u2019re participants in this ecosystem and find ways to collaborate so that we can deliver the things that customers want.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about making the whole industry work together and proceed at a pace that\u2019s not set by the slowest participant in the chain.\u201d<\/p>\n Machine learning and AI-driven innovations such as robot concierges and butlers, as well as facial recognition and room customisation technology, are becoming increasingly popular in the international hotel sector. However, some GCC brands have been reluctant to implement innovations due to high customer expectations that have been driven by the region\u2019s highly trained hospitality professionals.<\/p>\n Danielle Curtis<\/a>, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: \u201cAverage IT investment by hotels currently stands at four per cent, yet almost three quarters of all manual activities in the hospitality industry have the potential to be automated. There is clearly huge potential for our industry to benefit from technology implementation.<\/p>\n \u201cNevertheless, the GCC\u2019s hospitality and travel sectors have built up a global reputation based on high-quality, face-to-face service, so it is vital that the region strikes the right balance between high-tech and high-touch. In the longer term, companies operating in the Middle East\u2019s tourism segment are likely to remain committed to human interaction, but with the assistance of technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Running until Wednesday, 1 May, ATM 2019 will see more than 2,500 exhibitors showcase their products and services at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Viewed by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) tourism sector, last year\u2019s edition of ATM welcomed 39,000 people, representing the largest exhibition in the history of the show.<\/p>\n For full details of the ATM 2019 event programme, visit: https:\/\/arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com\/en\/events\/Events-programme<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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