TUI unveils virtual travel agent
TUI has developed new technology which it claims could help customers identify their ideal holiday by presenting them with images of activities and destinations and recording their facial responses to determine what sort of trip they’d prefer.
A prototype of its ‘Destination You’ computer will be installed in its newest and largest store in Merry Hill near Dudley to test customer reaction. If successful, it could be rolled out to its flagship shops.
Customers stare at images of holidays flashed up on a computer screen, which has a built-in camera to capture their reactions. These are then analysed by facial recognition technology and the images are changed according to the customer’s reactions. At the end, the computer suggests a holiday type, based on their responses to the images they were shown.
"It adds a bit of fun," said managing director Nick Longman. "It won’t be in every store, but it is something that might be able to suggest to the customer holidays they hadn’t even thought of.
"Our intention is to get the prototype in store and see customers’ reactions to it and go from there."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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