Study Reveals the Role that Tech Plays in Shaping the Way We Travel

SINGAPORE, Nov. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by Hilton Honors -- the award-winning guest loyalty program of global travel and hospitality brand Hilton -- reveals that one in two travelers (50%) would utilize virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) tours of their destination to get inspiration for their holidays. According to the study, VR and AR are the most-considered sources of travel inspiration for the future, outstripping other sources, such as recommendations from locals (44%) and word of mouth (37%).

Girl using VR device

The research study, in conjunction with research and insights company ENGINE, surveyed 2,300 travelers aged between 20-45 in 11 Asia Pacific countries and segmented by life stage. The study explored the travel motivations, aspirations and expectations of the region's most active travelers, comprising an extensive quantitative survey and in-depth interviews with Gen Y travel tastemakers.

The hospitality industry is seeing the rapid rise of cutting-edge technologies that have the ability to inspire, inform and improve all aspects of the travel experience, and the study's respondents similarly anticipated future technologies to be game changers, such as:

• 2 in 5 (39%) surveyed see VR and artificial intelligence (AI) as key sources that could help build knowledge amongst travelers in the future. With this, travelers could literally be stepping into and seeing the destination before arriving, in order to make savvy, learned decisions from the start.
• Virtual and inanimate influencers are also increasingly being considered as a valuable source of curated/branded advice, and 45% of respondents would consider adopting this as part of how they source information to decide on a destination.
• Additionally, 2 in 5 travelers believe that the use of VR and AR could help make travel more fun in the future.

The study also reveals the untapped potential of AI, especially with younger travelers, who seek individualized experiences, and put together their trips almost exclusively via digital means – 54% of youths believe AI improves their travel experience, and 49% of youths believe AI helps them build knowledge. This enables travelers to focus on actual adventures and experiences, and less on the planning phase. Additionally, the study found that 39% of travelers perceived AI and 40% perceived Smart Sensors to be able to impact their overall travel experience most significantly in future.

"Technology needs to be leveraged to enhance the in-hotel experience, in order for us to offer guests exactly what they want," said Sarah Somerville, senior director, customer engagement, loyalty and partnerships, Asia Pacific at Hilton. "Guests today expect integrated and personalized digital interactions across channels throughout their travels, which is why digital innovation is playing an increasingly critical role in ensuring a steady stream of new guests, and loyal guests that repeatedly stay with us time and again."

The study also reflects travelers' shifting expectations with regard to the use of digital innovations, due to the rise new technologies like AR, VR and AI being integrated into travel experiences:

• Over half (51%) of APAC travelers feel that hotel brands could adopt more tech-related services to enhance every aspect of their travel experience, including:
• Those that 'speed up their check-in' and 'manage their whole trip better'
• An overall more seamless travel experience, in the areas of:
•  Ease of rebooking missed flights and managing reservation
• Push alerts to guests' mobile devices when needed
• Furthermore, 44% of APAC travelers think technology should be used 'to inspire me on where to go at the destination'

"With the hospitality landscape constantly evolving and the rise of new technologies, naturally our guests' expectations when it comes to technology are also shifting," said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "Hilton's innovation-led approach to hospitality has led to the integration of digital features into every aspect of the travel experience, such as Digital Check-In and the Hilton Honors mobile app. As first and foremost a business of people serving people, we want to use technology to create a seamless guest experience, whilst at the same time maintaining that personal, human touch -- a crucial and inimitable part of the travel experience."

Responding to the growing demand for digital to be integrated into the travel experience, Hilton offers Hilton Honors members a range of features to make their stays more convenient, enjoyable and personal. Housed on the Hilton Honors mobile app, these include Digital Check-In and Digital Key -- which enable guests to select their rooms on the app, and access their rooms directly using their mobile devices. Also, Hilton's own Innovation Gallery is a first-of-its-kind incubator and experiential showcase for cutting-edge product developments that will shape the future of Hilton hospitality. Additionally, in line with Hilton's 100^th anniversary celebration in 2019, the Hilton Honors loyalty program welcomed its 100 millionth member this year.

Methodology: Hilton Honors commissioned a quantitative survey of 2,300 respondents who traveled for leisure at least 3 times in the last 12 months, and intended to take another 3 trips in the coming 12 months. Respondents were aged between 20-45 and came from 11 Asia Pacific countries: Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Life stages were broken down by Singles, Couples (with a partner/spouse and no children) and Young Families (aged 20-35 with a partner/spouse and at least one child). The quantitative survey was conducted between 18^th April - 14^th May 2019. The qualitative research was conducted amongst 40 young 'Cassandra' trendsetters, who were aged between 18-24 and came from 6 Asia Pacific countries: Australia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Japan. The qualitative fieldwork was conducted between 23^rd - 25^th May 2019.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising nearly 6,000 properties with more than 954,000 rooms, in 117 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world's most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2019 World's Best Workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its 100-year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 100 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. 

About Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 17 world-class brands comprising nearly 6,000 properties in 117 countries and territories. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard WiFi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key. Hilton Honors offers its more than 100 million members hundreds of ways to earn and redeem Points. Members can redeem their Points for free nights, premium merchandise and items on Amazon Shop with Points; make charitable contributions; or gain access to unique events through Hilton Honors Experiences, such as exclusive artist connections and VIP concerts with Live Nation®, and race experiences with McLaren Racing. The program is free to join, and travelers may enroll online by visiting www.hiltonhonors.com. Connect with Hilton Honors at newsroom.hilton.com/hiltonhonors, and follow Hilton Honors on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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