# Travel Tech Digital gadgets replace the need for human tour guides. By [Joanne Lam](https://www.trendhunter.com/joanne), Senior Editor | Published Jun 10, 2011, updated Jun 14, 2011 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/travel-tech-digital-gadgets-replace-the-need-for ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.5/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Travel Tech trend? **Travel Tech:** Physical interaction is now often left out of the human communication equation due to the increased use of virtual exchange. This concept has even extended to tourism, an area where the need for a human tour guide has become often unnecessary. With tourist-focused apps and digital maps that are accessible anywhere, traveling consumers can now customize their own itinerary and figure out where to go based on their own personal needs. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 16, 2010 to May 18, 2011 - Published: Jun 10, 2011 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Travel Tech trend ### Virtual Tour Guides Consumers can now customize their own itinerary and figure out where to go based on their own personal needs due to tourists app and digital maps. ### Intelligent City Guides NaviQ digital city guide offers consumers real-time interaction with local people, weather updates, public transportation routes, maps and other local guides information. ### Smart Interactive Hotel Tablets With Mondrian iPads and other hotel interactive service tablets, guests now have control over all hotel services, from reservation, housekeeping, transportation to gaming and entertainment. ## What the Travel Tech trend means for industry ### For Tourism Companies can develop their own virtual, intelligent and smart controls to assist and give real-time information to customers during their visits. ### For Technology New businesses can leverage digital technology to create virtual and personalized travel assistance options for customers. ### For Hospitality Hotels can implement digital devices that offer smart interactive room service controls to tailor guests' experiences. ## Trend signals for Travel Tech Trend score 2.5 out of 10, from popularity 31%, activity 37%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 31% - Activity: 37% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Travel Tech trend 4 featured examples from Feb 16, 2010 to May 18, 2011. - [Tourism Tablets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mondrian-hotel-ipads): The Mondrian Hotel iPads are Placed in Every Room to Simplify Guest Experience (Category: World) Implication: Hotels should consider investing in in-room tablets to offer guests an extra level of convenience and luxury. - [Life-Size Digital Tour Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mei-chan-3d-guide): The Mei-Chan 3D Guide Helps Navigate With "Human" Interaction (Category: Tech) Implication: The tourism and hospitality industry can benefit from adopting life-size digital tour guides to enhance the visitor experience and provide personalized assistance. - [Flying Robot Tour Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flying-robot-tour-guides): Friendly 3D Exclamation Marks Lead Guests and Give Information (Category: Unique) Implication: The tourism and hospitality industry can utilize flying robot tour guides to create personalized, immersive experiences for customers. - [Bus Stop Tour Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naviq-digital-city-guide): The 'NaviQ' Digital City Guide Will Help You if You're Lost (Category: World) Implication: Digital city guides will be especially appealing to the tourism industry ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) - [Autonomy Stacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomy-stacks) (Tech) - [Connected Filtration](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-filtration) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Variable Aperture Smartphone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-18) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Self-Cleaning Smart Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinecos-pure-one-station-5) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)