The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group have unveiled a new tech trends report – Technology Game Changers: at ITB Berlin.
The report explores 16 transformative technologies shaping the future across four major trends: Digital Technologies, Financial Technologies, Future of Mobility, and Breakthrough Innovations.
This new report suggests that by the end of the decade, AI agents won’t just automate travel searches and bookings – they could match human intelligence across many tasks.
Quantum computing could soon be solving problems. From optimising global air traffic in real-time, to unlocking the next frontiers of space travel and deep-sea tourism.
Supersonic flight is set to make a comeback, more than twenty years after Concorde retired. Boom Technology and United are gearing up to carry passengers within the next four years.
Meanwhile, smart cities with driverless cars and advanced air mobility, redefining the tourist experience for the travellers of tomorrow.
Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “The travel and tourism sector is in the midst of a digital revolution. As travellers turn to social media, streaming platforms, and cutting-edge tech, platforms like Instagram are shifting from selling products to selling experiences.”
Boon Sian Chai, MD of International Markets at Trip.com Group, added: “Travellers today expect planning and booking to be intuitive, efficient, and hyper-personalised.”
Key insights from the report include:
AI Revolutionising Travel – 94% of industry leaders see AI as mission-critical. AI-powered assistants like Trip.com’s TripGenie saw a 200% surge in usage in 2024
Super Apps Redefining Seamless Travel – A survey of 8,000 travellers found 97% want a single platform integrating flights, hotels, activities, and payments.
Space Tourism Lifts Off – Commercial space travel is rapidly approaching reality, with infrastructure and demand accelerating.
