Technology has completely transformed the way we travel, from booking travel and accommodation to checking in, organizing transfers, and navigating a new city. From innovative travel apps and self-booking to high-tech accommodation and automated cleanliness protocols, the power is quite literally in our pockets - technology has inspired the rebirth of travel like never before.

For business travelers, the rise in technology has reshaped the way they plan, book and stay. Gone are the days of rushing for inconvenient flights, bland room service menus and stacks of receipts to hand back to employers. Here to stay is personalization, convenience and a greater sense of freedom - the business travel industry has reached the digital age.

Here are four tech innovations shaping corporate travel today.

1. AI and face recognition

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been incorporated into the travel and tourism industry for years. Still, it’s set to play a crucial role in the reshaping of business travel as we emerge from the pandemic. The aim of AI in business travel is to make travelers’ lives easier, whether it’s through airport security scanning devices or facial identification recognition - cutting down long queues and boosting efficiency.

Where can we expect to see AI in the business travel industry? Firstly, voice and machine vision interfaces that recognize faces and features are going to become far more common, and will be used to limit physical contact. AI is likely to become more prevalent in how we handle our health, with apps that track passenger health by integrating wearable technologies.

In its more simple form, we can expect to see AI-powered instant translation services for travelers, along with automated late-arrival notifications. By 2030, robots are expected to have replaced check-in processes entirely.

2. 5G wireless internet

Business travel often involves working on the go. Whether it’s sending emails, checking in with colleagues or working on a last-minute presentation, business travelers generally need the internet - and there’s no longer space for limited networks.

The roll-out of 5G is promising for the travel industry, offering faster connections even to the remotest regions in the world. With the use of 5G, IoT sensors can be fitted in train carriages and tracks, enabling engineers to detect faults early and reduce travel delays. 5G-enabled sensors will also likely make appearances in airports, helping to streamline the travel experience and cut long waiting times.

The smarter a city is, the more it appeals to tech-savvy business travelers, so we can expect to see 5G used in all corners of the planet. In 2022, 5G subscriptions are expected to pass one billion - reaching this milestone two years earlier than 4G following its introduction.

3. A ‘contactless’ world

The world was already well on its way to going ‘contactless’, but it’s safe to say the pandemic has sped things up. Today, business travelers don’t want to stand in queues or wait for lengthy check-in processes. They want convenience and flexibility - and further still, reassurance that their health is not unnecessarily at risk. In fact, 63% of travelers believe that technology is important in controlling health risks when traveling.

Keyless accommodation and contactless card tapping are fast becoming the norm, but what else can we expect in the business travel industry? Virtual queues will likely become more common, along with check-out reminders, voice-activated accommodation technology and smart baggage handling. Hospitality technology solutions will reduce the touchpoints of a business traveler’s journey, resulting in a streamlined, safer trip.

4. Wellbeing technology

Following a turbulent few years for the travel industry (and the world), we can expect to see a greater focus on wellbeing in business travel. It’s no secret that corporate travel can be stressful. A recent study found that flight delays and cancellations (64%) are the biggest causes of stress during travel, and post-trip stress factors include catching up on work (51%) and preparing expense reports (45%).

Employers are realizing they need to do more to support the wellbeing of their employees - and consequently, we can expect to see a rise in well-being technology. There will likely be a heavier focus on air and water quality, with accommodations featuring technology to detect exposure to germs and allergens.

We can also expect to see proptech and more plug-in devices featuring in accommodations, helping business travelers to monitor their sleep patterns, try guided meditation and more.

So, what technology will you be looking for when booking your employees’ accommodation? Whether it’s a 5G city or a high-tech apartment, it’s set to be an exciting period for the world of technology and business travel management solutions.

3Sixty

3Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel. Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.