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The Future of Travel & Tourism is T-E-C-H
T – TECHNOLOGY
E – ENVIRONMENT
C – COMMUNITIES + CUSTOMERS
H – HUMANITY
T – TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED
Technology is disrupting ‘business as usual’ in a major way and has become a vital source of wealth-creation and facilitation of travel and tourism. Disregard technology at your peril.
Technology is everywhere and in everything you do. It’s in your phone, your car, your house, your school, ear buds and so much more. Technology is also in everything you do from searching, booking a flight, paying, travelling, taking a taxi, using a credit card – technology impacts every aspect of the visitor experience.
Many of the technology disruptors today are in the travel and tourism business – Uber, Airbnb, Expdia, etc.
This is why if you’re not online, you’re not on sale!
E – ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINED
Environment sustainability is key. Without a clean, sound and safe environment, there will be no tourism.
Tourism is built on the environment – beaches, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, lakes, sun, sand and sea. If you destroy the environment and you have no tourism product to sell.
C – COMMUNITIES INVOLVED
Communities are the keys to sustainable development – listen to communities; involve them and allow them to benefit from the sustainable use of their resources.
Without communities, there are no tourism experiences. Most major sites and attractions are located within or near to a community. Community members are the ones who deliver the exceptional experiences to visitors (artisans, musicians, dancers, artists, masseurs, housekeepers, cooks, tour guides, taxi drivers). Without communities, there is no tourism. This is why it is critical for communities to be engaged, involved and included in the design and development of tourism.
C – CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED
Customers are king and queen. Customers are calling the shots. Thankfully, a more responsive, responsible, enlightened, flexible, and independent bunch will demand radically new and transformative experiences.
The informed, experienced, individual, customers of today are driving a new type of travel. Customers want to stand out from the crowd; they care; they want authentic experiences, they are looking for unique off-the-beaten-track experiences, and they do not want to be taken for granted. They are calling the shots and dictating what should be produced and how.
H – HUMANITY-DRIVEN
Humanity goes beyond pure hospitality. Humanity is where workers are respected and decently rewarded; and where the professionals that welcome you are not just those who are ‘paid to smile’ but those who have a reason to smile.
This is why T-E-C-H is the surest path to inclusive and sustainable development.
Author
Dr. Auliana Poon
Dr. Auliana Poon is the founder and Managing Director of Leve Global and Exceptional Caribbean.
Auliana loves the Caribbean and believes in its people. Her personal mission is to change the world; to transform our societies. And this is precisely why she has spearheaded Exceptional Caribbean – a continuing mission to elevate tourism, trade and lives.
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Defogging the vision for a successful future of the tourism sector in the Caribbean is long overdue. This article and the proposed TECH concept charter the way forward. I would further humbly add that TECH has already begun to be “mainstream” – as a direct impact of the pandemic ! Hoteliers and tourism related businesses should embrace the neo-norms as opportunities- rather than challenges. Competition is severe, and new creative models are now needed to capture the uniqueness of the Caribbean, and secure a spot on the global tourism map..
Thank you for sharing.
You are totally correct Ismail. If we delay any longer on implementing T.E.C.H. the Caribbean will once again miss the wave. We have both the opportunity and the right ingredients to become leaders in these areas. The question is, “Can we be visionary enough to make the move now?”
I agree with everything said by Dr.Auliana Poon above. I always rely on the Professionals for their guidance. To simplify my beliefs on this subject. In my ‘grass-roots” opinion , some of the factors taken into consideration before deciding on a destination to visit include 1. Is the destination safe to visit (a) Is it in an area of conflict or of War (b) Does it have a low or a high crime rate (c) Is it free of communicable diseases . 2. (a) How far is the destination from home (b) Are there direct flights to the destination .3. Is it affordable for me 4. (a)Is it a Welcoming environment for visitors. (b) Are the accommodations clean and comfortable (c) Is the service courteous, friendly and efficient (5). Is the food provided wholesome and good local cuisine with fresh fruit available (6) Questions from the Birdwatchers and naturalists for whom I have catered (a) Are there many species of birds present (b) Are the services of experienced and knowledgeable guide/interpreters available (c) And what about the other Wildlife e.g. Forest Mammals, Nesting Sea Turtles etc. and is the habitat lush and green. (7) And finally , at the end of my visit , will I return to this place for another visit and would I recommend it to other persons ?
Thank you for this comment Neil Lambie. you are ‘spot on’. Thanks for sharing. best regards, auliana.