Travel & Tech Predictions for 2015

Recently we asked some of the experts in the travel and tech industry to give us their best predictions for 2015. Here is what they expect to see this new year and how 2015 could change the way we travel.

Multimedia. This will be the year of an upward trend toward multimedia, with the continued growth of photography (and exponential growth of platforms like Instagram), but more exponential growth of video. While photography platforms like Instagram have been great for travel, video hasn’t seen the same successes yet. I think we’re getting there with new technology like drones. The challenge is coupling the inspiration and information of traditional travel content with the entertainment value of viral videos – Spencer Spellman, The Traveling Philosopher and former Editor-in-Chief, Expedia.com

Increasingly mobile. As more people adopt using tablets and their smart phones I see online travel sites needing to adapt to their users, whether that is in offering apps or better optimized web sites – Kelly Gillease, Viator

Edu-Travel. I definitely see more unique travel experiences coming into play such as ed-venture (educational adventure). When there is nothing left to see, wouldn’t it be nice to learn a new, unique skill while on a vacation? – Jerry Grymek, LMA Communications

Giving back. More options to make more sustainable travel decisions when booking hotels, airlines, rental cars and vacation packages. I think more websites will help travellers make educated choices when they book – Suds Jagannathan, Social Travel

Wearable technology like the iWatch could tip the game as well as Travelmob, Asia’s first major player in accommodation sharing and Trippiece, a Japanese social travel site is changing how we travel by allowing travelers to suggest travel ideas, meet and find travel buddies and then plan their next adventure together – Yeoh Siew Hoon, Web in Travel

Personalized travel. I think travel businesses will have access to more measurable travel data particularly for operators allowing them to create more customized travel options. I think there is also a growing trend toward online travel consultants for the general travel consumer – Matteo Pennacchi, Around the World Tours

Experience more than destination. Consumers will think of travel as more of an authentic, immersive and life-changing experience. There will be more options in the sharing economy from accommodations to cars and eating with locals – Esha Gupta, Eat With.

How do you think travel will change in 2015?

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