Sabre tells travel companies to embrace wearable technology
Sabre has urged the travel industry to embrace wearable technology or risk losing out to competitors.
The tech company has been showcasing various uses and applications for wearable devices at this week’s World Travel Market.
"We’re only beginning to understand the potential for wearables but there are already some very obvious uses for it," said Joakim Everstin, head of innovation at Sabre Travel Network, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
"Google recently said Android users check their phones on average 125 times a day. Many of these are quick glances but it’s these very interactions that smart watches will start providing a better experience for, by allowing airlines or travel agents to quickly communicate with the traveller en route.
"There’s a real opportunity for travel companies to own the traveller once their trip has started, and if they don’t do it, someone else will. You need to disrupt yourself first or face being disrupted."
Sabre has launched its own prototype Google Glass Flight Search app, which can find flights based on voice command, for example: "Ok Glass, find a flight from London Heathrow to the beach in December".
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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