The rise of the industrial revolution 4.0 and the development of technology have paved the way for the emergence of technology tourism, which is the use of digital technology to create and provide the most convenient travel services for visitors. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Big data, Blockchain, 3D technology, virtual reality and augmented reality technology, Internet of Things, and mobile network generations have contributed significantly to the tourism industry, making tourism activities more modern and smarter. One of the key differences between technology tourism and traditional tourism is that technology tourism focuses on the interests of tourists and can ensure the lowest cost with maximum convenience, thanks to the use of modern devices and technologies.
One of the most important components of technology tourism is the Online Travel Agent (OTA), which enables travel service providers to promote their brand and introduce many services at the same time in an extremely economical way. Visitors can easily find and choose the most suitable service with the best fee. The increased demand for information about travel on the internet has made OTA a trend in the 4.0 era. In the Asia-Pacific region, up to 80% of travel trips are booked online, and 87% of the young generation thinks that smartphones are essential tools for travel.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, touchless travel and staycation are becoming popular trends. Touchless travel means limiting contact and sanitizing hands regularly, and is a travel experience with automated equipment and technology, such as electronic check-in, electronic payment, electronic customs declaration, and face recognition. Staycation is a travel trend where visitors experience tourism in their local area, which limits the risk of spreading the disease and reduces costs. Visitors can discover interesting and exciting things near where they live that they have previously missed.
The trend of healthcare tourism is also increasing after the Covid-19 outbreak, with a focus on physical recovery and mental regeneration. Visitors can participate in meditation courses, yoga, nursing, and hot mineral baths. Traveling to isolated and obscure places is also gaining popularity, such as quiet rural areas away from noisy cities, resorts in high mountains, and islands and beaches that have not been exploited for tourism. These places are often “picky” tourists, reducing the risk of spreading the disease.
In conclusion, technology tourism is an inevitable trend in the 4.0 era, which aims to provide the most convenient travel services for visitors with the support of digital technology. OTA, touchless travel, staycation, healthcare tourism, and traveling to isolated and obscure places are some of the emerging trends that will shape the future of the tourism industry.