Technology integration in tourism is revolutionizing every step of the travel experience. From planning to post-trip engagement, digital tools are making travel smarter, faster, and more personalized.
This shift is about more than just convenience. With smartphones in hand, travelers now expect experiences that adjust in real time to their needs and preferences.
The technology trends emerging in 2025 are particularly exciting. They promise to make travel more personalized, sustainable, and accessible.
Here are the top 10 technology trends that will define the future of travel this year.
1. AI and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence has moved far beyond basic chatbots. Today's AI travel assistants understand context, predict preferences, and make intelligent recommendations based on complex data patterns.
These systems analyze your booking history, search behavior, and even social media activity to suggest destinations you might love.
For example, when planning a trip to New Zealand, an AI assistant might recommend hiking and biking trails, highlighting scenic routes tailored to your interests.
Machine learning continuously improves these recommendations. Each interaction teaches the system more about your preferences, creating increasingly accurate and personalized travel suggestions.
Deloitte's 2023 Global Technology Leadership Study revealed that organizations investing in AI and automation technologies reported measurable returns on investment.
Specifically, 20% of organizations with advanced generative AI initiatives reported ROI exceeding 30%.
This is a huge indicator of how powerful AI can be in driving efficiency and growth across industries, including travel.
2. Self-Guided Tours
Self-guided tours are travel experiences where visitors navigate a destination independently using digital tools like apps or audio guides. They give travelers the freedom to explore at their own pace without missing out on expert insights.
One key technology behind self-guided tours is geofencing, which uses GPS to trigger audio guides automatically as visitors approach points of interest.
For example, in a museum, walking up to a painting might prompt your smart phone to play a short story about the artist or explain the work’s historical context.
Research shows the self-guided audio tour market was worth $1.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $4.8 billion by 2031.
This reflects a significant and growing demand for self-guided travel experiences.
As Glen Barnes, Chief Product Officer at STQRY, says:
Self-guided tours are changing how people connect with places. They give travelers flexibility without losing the chance to dive deep into the story.
3. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is changing how we explore destinations by adding digital layers to the real world.
Instead of using maps or guidebooks, travelers can point their phones at landmarks to instantly see historical facts, visitor tips, and reviews.
In museums, AR brings exhibits to life. Visitors can view ancient artifacts through their devices and see how they looked or were used in the past. Some experiences even show historical events unfolding at the exact location where they happened.
A recent study of UK art museums found that AR and virtual exhibitions significantly improve visitor engagement and satisfaction, making museum visits more immersive and memorable.
By adding context and depth, AR makes cultural experiences more engaging.
4. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality acts as both a preview and a companion to real-world travel. Before spending money on a trip, travelers can use VR to explore destinations and try out activities. This helps them choose what’s right for them.
VR also makes travel more accessible.This is because individuals with mobility challenges can visit places virtually that may be hard to reach in person.
Many cultural sites now offer VR experiences that share history and heritage with people around the world, no matter where they are.
Even after the trip, VR keeps adding value. Travelers can relive favorite moments through 360-degree videos and share them in a way that feels more real than photos ever could.
5. Interactive Kiosks
Interactive kiosks have become essential for many travel destinations. They serve not only as valuable touchpoints for visitor information but have also evolved into dynamic tools that transform the visitor experience.
In museums, kiosks provide interactive content that brings exhibits to life. For example, visitors can click through detailed artifact descriptions, watch short videos, or participate in interactive quizzes that deepen their understanding.
Besides entertainment, these kiosks can also be used to gather valuable feedback through surveys and intuitive rating systems. This helps destinations better understand visitor feelings and quickly improve services.
6. Automation
Travel destinations can free up many of their resources when routine tasks are handled by intelligent systems. This allows staff to focus on creating memorable guest experiences rather than managing logistics.
Some key tasks in travel destinations that can be automated include:
- Inventory management for tours
- Customer service responses for frequently asked questions
- Booking confirmations and itinerary updates
- Payment processing and receipt generation
- Maintenance scheduling for facilities and equipment
7. Data Analytics
The power of data analytics lies in turning large amounts of travel information into useful insights that improve every part of the journey.
By analyzing patterns from millions of interactions, travel companies can predict traveler needs, optimize their operations, and offer more personalized experiences.
Data analytics also helps travel companies measure how well their marketing campaigns perform.
Metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and customer acquisition costs provide clear insights into which channels and strategies deliver the best return on investment.
8. Push Notifications
Push notifications are messages sent directly to your phone or device to provide updates or important information. Studies show they can increase engagement by up to 88%, making them a strong way to share timely and useful information during a trip.
Rather than just sending out general updates, modern travel apps use push notifications to anticipate travelers' needs.
For example, the Savannah Book Festival used them to keep over 9,000 attendees informed about session times, venue capacities, and special events, all while creating a sense of connection.
However, to be effective, push notifications need to respect user preferences by only delivering relevant updates based on location, timing, and user behavior.
When done well, push notifications feel helpful rather than disruptive.
9. Digital Collections
Digitizing and sharing cultural or historical archives online helps museums, galleries, and tourism boards in several ways.
These digital platforms protect valuable artifacts and documents while making them available to people around the world who might not be able to visit in person.
By sharing highlights like rare manuscripts, artifacts, and artworks, these collections spark curiosity and invite visitors to explore more.
This change also adds lasting value by turning old archives into searchable, interactive resources.
Because of this, travelers can learn about destinations before their trips, and teachers and researchers get access to materials that were once hard to find.
10. Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices such as sensors, cameras, and wearables that collect and share data through the internet. These connected systems help automate processes, respond to real-time conditions, and personalize services based on user behavior.
One common example of this can be seen at heritage sites and popular tourist attractions. IoT sensors are often used to monitor crowd levels and environmental conditions to protect sensitive areas and manage visitor flow.
At the same time, smart signage and location-aware guides deliver relevant information as travelers move through a site. This makes the visit more intuitive and enriching.
FAQs
How will technology change the way we travel?
Technology will change the way we travel by making trips more personalized, efficient, and immersive. Innovations like AI-powered travel assistants, augmented reality guides, and automation streamline planning and enhance experiences. Travelers can explore destinations at their own pace, get real-time updates, and enjoy interactive, customized journeys.
What is smart tourism technology?
Smart tourism technology refers to digital tools like IoT devices, mobile apps, and real-time data systems that enhance travel and destination management. These tools help reduce crowding, guide visitors, and offer personalized suggestions.
Can AI be used as a travel agent?
Yes, AI can act as a travel agent by planning trips and answering customer questions. It uses data to make personalized recommendations and handles routine tasks efficiently.
Power Your Digital Transformation with STQRY
The future of travel technology is here, changing how we explore the world with smart systems that predict what we need and improve our trips.
Embracing these travel technology innovations doesn't have to be overwhelming. With STQRY, you can adapt seamlessly and grow with confidence.
STQRY Apps lets you create mobile tours, interactive maps, and tailored experiences that keep visitors curious and connected.
On-site, STQRY Kiosks offers helpful touchpoints like wayfinding, attraction highlights, and multilingual support.
And behind the scenes, STQRY Collect lets you create a stunning collections website with powerful search, custom layouts, and support for diverse content types, from images to audio recordings.
Ready to build interactive experiences for your visitors?