The Future Of TravelTech In The UK

Evgeny Chuprov, co-founder and non-executive director at Mirai Flights explores…

 
When it comes to Traveltech, its primary purpose is to elevate the travel experience via technological advancement.

In the last three years, the traveltech industry has grown explosively, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UK traveltech startups have focused on providing high-quality, contactless solutions to help people book flights, find accommodation and plan a safe, fulfilling trip.

Like every other industry, travel is adapting to a post-pandemic framework. People are still hesitant to travel normally. Some countries still have travel restrictions, and it’s more difficult for both travellers and service providers to plan a trip. And since successful startups always anticipate customer’s desires, this has put UK traveltech startups in a unique position to completely transform the industry for the better.
 

Traveltech Trends to Watch in 2022

Speedy Solutions

 
Consumers want instant gratification now more than ever. They’ve grown used to immediacy thanks to the Covid-led digital shift. And while booking a trip doesn’t equate to actual travelling, companies try to “hide” this difference behind smart UX.

As a result, travellers want to book flights and hotels instantaneously. This is why UK startups like Duffel and Criton are so successful. Duffel has created an entire API to support travellers’ seamless, contactless booking-to-boarding experience. Criton has helped the hospitality industry create a more updated, mobile-forward guest experience to streamline finding and checking in to accommodations.

However, some travel sectors, like business aviation, are yet to satisfy user’s need for quick services. That’s why when launching Mirai Flights we were keen to revolutionise a 6-8 hours manual procedure, to a one-click booking solution.
 

Immersive Experiences

 
Through feedback and analysis, we’ve found that customers want authentic experiences end-to-end. This encompasses in-person and virtual travel. Customers are looking for unique experiences, and they’ll go to any lengths to get them.

This has given rise to a trend of virtual tourism that allows users to experience different modes of travel (e.g., flight simulators, hikes, boating). It’s also the impetus behind companies like London-based Culture Trip and the popular Get Your Guide site. Culture Trip creates an immersive, storybook-style experience with location-specific photos, animations, videos and articles. Get Your Guide books guided tours through passionate locals to help travellers connect with the local scene.
 

Where the Traveltech Market is Headed

 
Travellers are looking for companies that can provide an ecosystem. The most successful startups will be the ones that can meet all of a consumer’s needs in a single solution. For example, Mirai rolls the entire private flight experience into a single, all-inclusive app with an intuitive interface.

Startups hoping to thrive should look for ways to combine the intimacy of a personal connection with the flexibility of a “one-stop-shop” solution.

Success stories here include UK startups like TravelAbrood and Luxtripper. TravelAbrood helps families travel in a post-pandemic landscape via AI and a virtual assistant that guides them through the entire discovery and booking experience. Luxtripper gives leisure travelers the ability to create bespoke, multi-destination itineraries based on their needs.
 

Smart, Speedy Solutions are the Way Forward

 
Startups that can “roll with the changes” while still delivering intelligent, sophisticated and app-based solutions are the ones that will see the most growth in the future. Our data shows that customers expect the “total package” from traveltech solutions, and the current landscape backs this up.