The tourism sector is evolving rapidly, particularly under the influence of emerging digital technologies. As we all know, digital technology is revolutionizing many sectors, and tourism is no exception.
Tourism has undergone a fascinating evolution over the centuries, from a phenomenon limited to elite travel to a global activity accessible to millions of people.
The industrial era brought a new dynamic to tourism, but the advent of the digital age has radically transformed the industry in recent decades.
In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating the digital transformation of the tourism industry. Businesses quickly had to adopt innovative technologies to adapt to new standards and offer travelers more secure, connected experiences.
The evolution of digital technology has many consequences for tourism today. We are witnessing the emergence of new professions.
The emergence of the Internet and mobile applications has enabled online booking, making it easier to find accommodation, flights and activities. As a result, online travel agencies (i.e. Online Travel Agencies) and comparators (i.e. metasearch) have developed rapidly, making it easy to compare online offers.
The arrival of online reviews has also played a crucial role in the eyes of consumers, making it essential for companies in the tourism industry to have an impeccable tourism e-reputation, which is essential to maintain in order to gain a certain competitive edge.
Social networks in tourism have amplified the influence of word-of-mouth, with users sharing their experiences and thus influencing the travel choices of their communities. Influencers therefore play an important role in promoting destinations and travel experiences.
In a bid to reduce our environmental impact, consumers are paying more attention to their consumption habits, and certain technologies are helping to opt for more sustainable travel and measure carbon footprints, but also with the aim of monitoring and managing tourist flows to avoid overcrowding and preserve destinations.
Slow tourism is an approach that prioritizes quality over quantity, encouraging travelers to take the time to fully immerse themselves in the destinations they visit. This trend, in contrast to mass tourism, encourages deeper interactions with local cultures, communities and the environment.
The concept of the metaverse, thanks to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), promises to revolutionize the tourism industry by offering immersive, virtual experiences, opening up new perspectives for the discovery and promotion of destinations and the creation of memorable souvenirs. All this, without leaving home, offering unlimited geolocation and virtual, infinite mobility.
Virtual reality and augmented reality facilitate exchanges thanks to the power of chatbots, genuine conversational tools used to provide instant assistance to travelers by answering frequently asked questions, thus simplifying booking and improving service and customer relations. Voice assistants are also a significant tool in the tourism experience, providing hands-free navigation.
The rise of video games in the tourism industry, known as gamification, is particularly appealing to younger generations, making the travel experience more interactive and engaging.
Artificial intelligence in the age of tourism (AI) has enabled a tenfold increase in personalized customer experience, thanks to data analysis with the aim of tailoring offers to travelers based on their preferences, travel histories and online behaviors. This essential functionality is made possible in particular by CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) in tourism, which in this sector are essential for centralizing customer data, enabling optimal personalization of travel experiences and strengthening tourist loyalty through proactive relationship management.
Payment security is also improved thanks to digital with blockchain, as is the guarantee of the authenticity of reviews on tourist sites.
The digitalization of the tourism sector has led to the emergence of new professions combining technology, customer experience and innovation in tourism. These professions respond to the growing need to optimize services, personalize experiences and engage travelers on digital platforms.
Here are a few emerging professions linked to the rise of digital technology in the tourism industry:
Role: This specialist designs ultra-personalized travel itineraries based on artificial intelligence, customer data and market trends.
Key skills: Data analytics, UX design, storytelling, digital marketing.
Why this job? 74% of travelers expect tailor-made recommendations when planning a trip.
Role: Responsible for optimizing the prices of accommodation and tourist services by analyzing market trends and customer behavior. They use automation and artificial intelligence tools.
Key skills: Data analysis, AI applied to pricing, management of reservation platforms.
Why this job? Yield management in the tourism industry can increase revenues by up to 20%.
Role: Assists travelers online using chatbots, mobile applications and virtual assistance solutions. It offers recommendations, manages reservations and facilitates the customer experience.
Key skills: Customer relations, mastery of tourism CRM tools, management of voice assistants and chatbots.
Why this job? 68% of travelers prefer rapid digital assistance to waiting for human service.
Role: Exploit visitor data (reservations, opinions, preferences) to improve offers and anticipate trends. It helps tourism companies optimize their marketing and operational strategies.
Key skills: Data analysis, artificial intelligence, business intelligence (BI) tools.
Why this profession? 90% of companies in the tourism sector say that exploiting data is a key lever for their growth.
Role: Manage the image of tourism companies online, respond to reviews, collaborate with influencers and implement content strategies to boost brand visibility.
Key skills: Community management in tourism, SEO, digital crisis management.
Why this job? 81% of travelers consult reviews before booking a holiday.
Role: Protect booking platforms and customer data against cyber-attacks, securing transactions and personal information.
Key skills: Cybersecurity, cryptography, digital risk management.
Why this job? Cyber attacks in the tourism sector have increased by 50% since 2020.
These trends show how digital technology is being put to work to enhance the tourism experience for users, transforming the way they plan and carry out their trips.
It's important for companies in the tourism sector to adopt these marketing strategies and technologies to offer more personalized, effective and memorable experiences to their customers.
Training in the efficient use of these digital tools is essential to steer marketing actions in the right direction and gain in efficiency (time spent and cost control).
Crews offers a number of tourism marketing training courses to help you develop your skills in the digital professions applied to the tourism sector:
Crews also offers online tourism training courses for professionals, so you can learn more about specific subjects more quickly and quickly gain professional skills:
Today, digital tourism is continually redefining the standards of the tourist experience. From booking platforms and augmented reality apps to travel blogs and social networks, the digital world continues to reinvent the way we explore and enjoy destinations across the globe.
In conclusion, online digital training when working in tourism has become imperative to stay relevant and competitive in a constantly evolving industry. This acquisition of skills not only enables you to adapt to emerging trends, but also to play a key role in the creation of innovative travel experiences, reinforcing your position at the heart of a dynamic sector in perpetual transformation.
Digital technology is revolutionizing the tourism sector, making travel more accessible, personalized and interactive. Thanks to online reservation platforms (Booking, Airbnb), travelers can compare prices and book in just a few clicks. Artificial intelligence and chatbots facilitate customer service, while virtual reality lets people explore a destination before they even leave. Big data optimizes offers by analyzing customer preferences, and mobile applications enhance the on-site experience (translation, itineraries, interactive guides).
The major new trend in tourism is slow tourism, which favors immersive, sustainable and local experiences. Travelers are looking for more authentic stays, away from the crowds, with a reduced carbon footprint. The rise of telecommuting has also favored workation (work + vacation), enabling professionals to work from exotic destinations. Last but not least, artificial intelligence and the metaverse offer unprecedented tourism experiences, such as virtual tours of historic sites or hyper-personalized recommendations.
Technology is transforming tourism by facilitating online bookings, offering immersive experiences via augmented and virtual reality, and personalizing services thanks to AI and big data. It's also improving the security and fluidity of travel with solutions like contactless payment and facial recognition, while promoting more sustainable tourism by optimizing visitor flows.
Social networks are having a major impact on tourism, influencing travelers' choices. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase destinations through inspiring content. Reviews on TripAdvisor or Google Reviews play a key role in booking decisions. Tourism influencers create trends, pushing certain places to go viral (Santorini, Bali, Cappadocia). Finally, social networks enable tourism professionals to promote their offerings and engage a community through marketing campaigns and interactive content.
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