Anyone who has flown in the last 10 years knows how much travel has changed, thanks to advances in technology. From upgrading a hotel on a tablet, to hailing a cab via smartphone, airports, hotels, and other travel companies work tirelessly to meet and exceed business travelers’ expectations.
Here are some examples of how business travel has advanced and improved in 2015, courtesy of warriorvoices.com.
3D holographic meetings. Imagine a business meeting where you have the ability to be in two places at once, while your presentations are in 3D. Yes, the technology exists, and is available at select hotels, including the NH Hotel Group.
Borrow business tech at The Business Bar. Have you ever forgotten a piece of business tech, or just didn’t have the room? No worries if you’re staying at Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel in New York. In April, they launched the Business Bar where all guests of the hotel can use a variety of tech equipment — free of charge — including MacBook Pros, GoPros, Kindles, iPads and Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480s.
Digital check-in. There seems to be a travel app for everything these days, which is a good thing for business travelers. Hotel brands like Hilton and Starwood have already started introducing mobile checkin and room keys, meaning you can bypass the front desk and get right to work.
Leave your business clothes with DUFL. Along with gadgets, business attire takes up space in your luggage. That’s unless you download and use the DUFL app. The company’s business model is that they’re essentially a wardrobe valet — allowing you to travel sans business clothes, and instead having someone pick up your clothing before you leave, cleaning and ironing them, and having them ready for you when you arrive at your hotel destination. At the end of your trip, they’ll pick up your clothes, clean them and ship them back home.
Network while in-flight. Networking via social media is no longer just for the ground. Make new connections while in-flight with Delta Innovative Class, KLM’s Meet & Seat Program and All Nippon Airways’ new ANA Flight Connections.
Smart wearables. Wearables are one of the hottest topics and areas of interest in smart technology. The Apple Watch is one of the first that can replace hotel keycards, receive alerts about trip changes and important meetings, and help you stay in shape on the road.
Uber cool car services. Having to hail a cab in the street is nearly extinct thanks to innovative car services, such as Uber. The successful startup has made some important partnerships, such as with Starwood hotels, where you can earn Starpoints for using the car service, and with Indianapolis International Airport, one of the world’s most tech-friendly airports, to name a few.
There are also a number of hotels in 2015 offering cool new cars for complimentary transport service, like Virgin Hotels Chicago’s Tesla Model S P85D.
Virtual concierge. Having to talk to an actual human (including the concierge) for anything might soon be a thing of the past, as many hotels now offer concierge service via hotel apps.
Even if your accommodation doesn’t have a dedicated app, there are downloads like Resy for hot restaurant reservations, Razorgator for last minute event tickets, Kamino for local themed walking tours with real-time mapping integration, and Postogram for mailing postcards to friends. You can even order a private jet Uber-style through Victor.
Of course, Hoyt Livery has made improvements in ground transportation for their business travelers as well. Hoyt’s APP “Hoyt-on-the-Go” allows clients to book a new trip, manage their Marquis Rewards points, and confirm and make reservations on their iPhones® or iPads™. We also make travel easier with our new destination city service that allows us to book ground transportation in more than 450 destination cities throughout the US and Canada.