There is one big constant within the travel industry. Regardless of generation, destination or span of a trip, the consumer wants to be able to travel with confidence. This has never been more relevant than today.
As many of us approach planning and participating in travel, we can’t help but feel the weight of uncertainty. There is a fluctuating list of reasons why consumers face these unpleasant feelings – i.e. the potential for contracting an illness/disease, other health problems, travel costs, international tensions, regional conflicts, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, etc. with the fear often shared by a number of travelers, there are also a host of factors that can cause individuals to experience their own unique form of travel anxiety. Maybe you’ve had a negative experience while traveling in the past, or it’s your first time traveling alone.
In any case, it is common for travelers in 2022 to crave a sense of security and protection.
Having said all this, I would argue that in many ways we are more prepared than ever before to travel safely. From a technological point of view, this is 100 percent the case. While our parents and grandparents were tasked with traveling with guidance from a travel agency and guidebooks, we have the opportunity to use resources like Google Maps, Airbnb, blogs from other travelers and more to get the most out of our trip.
As head of Seven Corners, I am able to advocate for consumers to use insurance to protect the financial investment they have made in travel. I also have a platform to show consumers how technology can be a guide. Whether you’re traveling across the state, the country, or the world, here are my top three tips to help you travel with more confidence.
Just as you wouldn’t go into a job interview without properly researching the company and the opportunity, you also wouldn’t want to find yourself in a new destination without some prior knowledge of its top attractions, dining options, and available transportation.
Two great resources that are sometimes overlooked include the city’s tourism website and the chamber of commerce website. Both typically outline information about local establishments, upcoming events, places to stay, and parking availability. These platforms can also help you determine what activities are available and age appropriate for those traveling with you.
Another way to learn more about your potential destination is through YouTube videos and TikTok, as these show other people’s past travel experiences in a given area and usually highlight their biggest takeaways from their trip.
We often see that consumers are looking for travel options when they need to disconnect from the technology they use in their everyday lives. This is completely understandable; however, it is not the most realistic choice, especially when traveling long distances or to new destinations. With a few clicks on our phone, we can share our new arrival time with our loved ones, present our tickets for a flight and participate in contactless check-in at a hotel.
The industry itself has begun to rely on technology more than ever before, in part because of the pandemic. In fact, data.ai reports from the summer of 2021 showed a 20 percent increase in the use of travel/navigation apps compared to previous months and times of the year. Travel apps are available and it is wise to take advantage of them. If you’re not sure where to start, Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store have excellent lists of the best free and paid travel apps in use today.
Right now, there are a number of technologies that you can use to ensure your own or your group’s safety while traveling.
Companies like Seven Corners offer 24/7 communication through multiple channels such as a mobile app, SMS, WhatsApp and more. This is a growing trend across the industry, with several insurance, airline, home booking and rideshare companies prioritizing 24/7 communication with their customers. Apps like “Find My” allow you to share your location in a series of times with selected people, helping you to monitor the whereabouts and stay in touch with each member of your group.
Resources like Sherpa are available to help you navigate the changing travel requirements and restrictions around the world. Finally, monitoring local news coming out of your destination area is a proven way to stay informed and safe while on vacation.
A trip with your family to Disney World is filled with a completely different energy than a ski trip with your friends, a conference with colleagues or your student’s stay abroad in Europe. In all of these scenarios, security should be your top priority, and technology is here to support you every step of the way.
Ryan Brubaker serves as Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations for Seven Corners, a travel insurance company based in Carmel.
