Artificial intelligence is already making waves in the incentive, rewards and recognition (IRR) space.
And nowhere is this truer than in the brave new world of incentive travel. The most exciting part? We’ve barely scratched the surface of the myriad ways in which AI can transform incentive travel.
First things first
If you haven’t already read our introductory blog, you really should sail on over to Understanding AI and its uses in Incentives, Rewards and Recognition for a primer. If you absolutely can’t be bothered (it has been a long week) here’s a Twitter-friendly precis. AI is at work whenever computers act like humans. In IRR, AI is most commonly leveraged to put “the right reward in the hands of the right person at the right time.”
Moving on to the main event
As you’ve probably already figured out, the ability of AI technology to generate intensely personalised rewards is tailor-made for the travel industry. By sifting through reams of personal user data with a fine-toothed comb and applying oh-so-clever algorithms to this data, AI can – among many other things – find the perfect destination for Cedric; make sure that his day-to-day needs and wants are catered for without him even asking; and seamlessly coordinate boring logistical stuff like airport transfers and hotel bookings. Read on to find out more about the wonderful AI-enabled world of incentive travel.
Find out where your recipients really want to go
AI is extremely useful in the planning phase of an incentive travel trip. At the risk of being overly dramatic, it truly can help you to know your target market better than they know themselves. Incentive travel is already regarded as the ultimate reward by customers, channel partners and employees, because – unlike a cash or material reward – travel creates a lasting, emotional connection with your brand. With AI on your side, however, you can supersize the lifechanging impact of incentive travel by curating trips that will leave each and every recipient spellbound.
Being the attentive Sales Manager that you are, you’ve probably already gleaned that Sandile from Key Accounts has a secret passion for rollercoasters. But AI can take this several steps further by telling you that Sandile actually spends most of his waking hours daydreaming about day riding the Steel Dragon 2000, a Japanese rollercoaster that is the world’s longest. Most of your employees probably won’t have such specific needs (probably a good thing) but it’s just as useful to know that Kristy hates beach holidays or that Saeed has always wanted to visit the Kruger Park.
Whistle away your (and your travellers’) logistical worries
AI makes the logistics of flights, transfers, taxis and activity bookings (all the irritating stuff!) soooooo much simpler. Leading incentive travel providers are pioneering the use of dedicated smartphone apps (accessible by both recipients and providers) which don’t just keep track of all these logistical bits and pieces but also inform travellers of any changes in schedule and can even automatically check them onto flights and into hotels.
Machine learning can also see to it that a traveller’s wants and needs are catered to without them even having to ask. For centuries the world’s best hotels have prided themselves on knowing exactly what their guests want – Scotch or Bourbon? Double or twin? Still or sparkling? – but AI is opening this kind of obsessive attention to detail up to the mass market. In addition to making guests feel super-special it can also prevent potentially awkward situations by forewarning restaurants of allergies or religious dietary requirements.
Lost Found in translation
Since time immemorial, travellers to exotic lands have had to scratch their heads and play impromptu (and embarrassing) games of charades every time they need to go to the bathroom, order from a restaurant menu or ask for directions. Language barriers can (and still do) prevent people from venturing too far out of their comfort zones (a survey has shown that Japan is the country people want to visit the most, if language wasn’t an issue) but all that is changing quickly thanks to AI. If you thought translation apps were next level, think again! These snazzy new headphones can already translate 40 languages in real-time, straight into your ear. Just imagine what will be possible in a year or two from now.
Stop minor hiccups from becoming massive train smashes
When it comes to travel, things do sometimes go wrong – even with cutting edge software on your side. AI cannot prevent travel delays, uncooperative weather or upset stomachs. But it can inform you, the travel provider, of what’s happened before things get out of hand. This will give you the opportunity to not only speak to your client (hearing a familiar and concerned voice works wonders in times of stress) but also to put things right, on the spot. With AI on your side, booking an emergency airport hotel room or arranging a doctor’s visit is a doddle. (But it can’t do anything about the weather – yet.)
Have we convinced you yet?
If you haven’t already leveraged AI to take your incentive travel program to the next level, hopefully this blog has opened your eyes to the possibilities. Find out how the humans and computers at GET Rewards can make your incentive travel dreams come true.
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