Thursday, March 7, 2024
Trip.com Group reaffirms commitment to transforming travel experiences through innovation, spotlighting AI, personalization, and adapting to global travelers’ changing needs as ITB Berlin 2024 wraps up. Schubert Lou, Chief Operating Officer of Trip.com, highlighted the growing domain of experiential travel and AI’s crucial role in tailoring journeys to individual preferences in his keynote address.
Experiential Travel with AI-Powered Innovation
Mr Lou’s keynote titled, “How to Accommodate the Global Traveller” highlighted a shift towards more meaningful and immersive travel experiences, emphasising the growing interest in festivals and unique cultural events among young adventurers. He noted a rising interest in travel that transcends mere sightseeing, highlighting the experiential desire of today’s travellers in seeking out thrilling hikes, spectacular fireworks, and energetic festivals.
Mr Lou said, “In a world where travel is increasingly about the depth of experience, Trip.com is leading the charge, harnessing AI to craft journeys that resonate deeply and personally with each individual. Our technology is not just about facilitating travel; it’s about enriching lives and creating memories that last far beyond the return flight.”
He also presented impressive engagement metrics for TripGenie, the innovative AI travel assistant. Users spend an additional average of 20 minutes on the app on days when they engage with this advanced tool for planning multi-destination itineraries. It has also generated nearly 1 million inquiries to date, doubled the order conversion rate, and improved user retention rates.
Trip.com Group remains dedicated to advancing personalized travel experiences. The recent launch of the Trip.Vision app, which utilizes Apple Vision Pro technology, exemplifies the group’s innovative approach to travel. The app offers immersive experiences of global destinations, setting new standards for personalized exploration.
Redefining Hotel Experiences with Enhanced Personalised Packages
Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director and Vice President for International Markets, also spoke at ITB Berlin, where he highlighted, among other initiatives, innovative travel packages that deliver increasingly personalised hotel guest experiences. Trip.com’s “Hotel Rooms Plus X” offering epitomises this shift, merging stays with custom experiences that resonate with the personal interests of travellers. “This approach marks a new era where every hotel stay is transformed into a personalised journey, deeply connected to each traveller’s individual tastes and interests,” he said.
Mr Chai also revealed trends shaping the hospitality sector, such as AI-enhanced search features. Trip.com’s AI-ranking lists, including “Trip.Best,” “Trip.Trends,” and “Trip.Deals,” offer personalised travel and accommodation suggestions fine-tuned by over 100 million user reviews and curated by market experts – setting a benchmark for customised hospitality experiences, and informing travel partners how to better appeal to customers.
Live-streaming, which gained popularity during the pandemic, has now become a crucial factor in boosting hotel bookings. The “LIVE for Trip” campaign, which includes interactive sessions showcasing real-time travel deals, has attracted over a billion viewers and has established numerous partnerships with hotels, highlighting the company’s innovative approach. Since its inception in 2020, the live streams have showcased thousands of products from various global destinations, such as France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
A New Chapter in European Growth
Trip.com Group is leading the way in enhancing travel experiences throughout Europe through strategic collaborations with a wide network of partners, including flights, hotels, trains, tours, attractions, and payment services. Tailoring each market to meet the unique preferences of local travelers, our market-specific solutions have played a key role in driving significant growth across the continent.
Amid Europe’s growing market, Andy Washington, General Manager for Europe at Trip.com Group, spoke about travel and technology trends at the same event. He said, “Our growth in Europe reflects our commitment to bespoke travel experiences. In the dynamic landscape of the travel industry, innovation and technology adoption are propelled by a powerful alliance between consumers and businesses. At Trip.com Group, we prioritise deploying technology that directly enriches the consumer experience, streamlining and personalising every aspect of travel. This approach is especially pertinent in Europe’s varied market, where meeting diverse traveller needs are paramount.”
Europe-China Travel Surges with Visa Relaxation
Increased travel from Europe to China is a notable trend this year, driven by more relaxed visa regulations. China’s extension of its visa-free policy to citizens of seven European nations—France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Switzerland—has resulted in a significant uptick in bookings from these countries to China. Flight reservations have increased by almost 200%, while hotel and train bookings have risen by nearly 300% compared to the same period in February 2023. These developments not only improve travel connectivity between China and Europe but also pave the way for deeper cultural exchanges.
The company’s presence at ITB Berlin 2024 sets a new standard for the future of travel, promising an era of innovation. It offers personalized, technology-driven travel experiences that cater to the unique needs and desires of global travelers.
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