April 12, 2022
Have you noticed how every new technological innovation makes our lives easier? Not so long ago we didn't have the internet, a washing machine or even an internal combustion engine, and now we have all that and more. Let's face it, technological progress is amazing. What's more, everyday tasks such as booking a table at a restaurant or buying a football ticket can now be done in the blink of an eye. This is made possible by AI-powered reservation systems.
With the rise of AI in travel, hospitality and many other industries, the booking process has become faster, easier and more personalised - that's an undeniable fact. However, with this progress comes challenges.
Well, let's get down to business and explore how AI and machine learning are transforming modern reservation systems.
When we talk about the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in modern reservation systems, we think it is necessary to clarify what we mean. Or rather, what the reservation process is and where it takes place.
Reservation is a broad concept that we encounter at every turn. For example, you can hardly buy a flight ticket or book a hotel room without doing it online. Even if you need to rent a car in a new city or country, you can't do without an easy-to-use web based car reservation system or a handy mobile app. If you're one of those people who would like to set up your own AI-driven car booking system - which, let's face it, is a sensible thing to do - then you should read this case study and learn all about the intricacies of the process.
Incidentally, generative AI is particularly useful in the travel and hospitality industry, where this technology helps customers find accommodation that matches their parameters within minutes, and helps the hotel industry manage bookings smoothly.
Attending sporting events, dining at a restaurant, making doctor's appointments, scheduling workouts at the gym and online, making appointments with government services - artificial intelligence and machine learning consulting services are influencing the reservation process in these areas.
To better understand the issue, let's turn to statistics. They show us how the market is evolving and what to expect.
The artificial intelligence market is growing at a tremendous rate. While the market is estimated to be worth $184 billion in 2024, it is projected to reach an impressive $826 billion by 2030. Imagine the potential of this technology.
This rapid market development can be attributed to the widespread use of artificial intelligence-based software by companies to accelerate innovation cycles in their business processes.
As we'll see below, AI and travel go hand in hand, and one of the most common applications of AI is route planning:
Moreover, 48% of people trust artificial intelligence in their travel planning, and next year, AI will become a major part of the travel industry.
AI in booking systems is a priority not only for users but also for travel tech companies. Thus, 80% of respondents said they plan to increase the use of AI in travel and hospitality next year.
Let's outline the main benefits of AI, particularly generative AI in travel:
Let's now turn to the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to different areas.
To avoid being too vague, let's narrow the focus and look at how AI and ML are being leveraged in reservation systems in very specific industries. Below, we will look at AI in hospitality industry, healthcare, travel, and public services.
AI and machine learning for hospitality are no longer a novelty, but the norm. As part of hotel booking systems, AI in hospitality industry analyses past bookings and guest preferences to provide personalised recommendations and up-to-date rates. Hotels and restaurants can benefit from machine learning development services to optimise their booking processes and improve customer experiences. Machine learning, in turn, predicts room occupancy and optimises inventory and staffing. Increasingly, AI-powered chatbots are being used to handle enquiries and answer customer questions, improving the quality of customer service.
In the restaurant industry, AI and ML are also analysing customers' visit history and preferences to offer them the best time and place. These technologies predict peak times, manage table turnover and handle booking requests via chatbots. What's more, as delivery services evolve, AI is being used there too, particularly to optimise delivery routes and manage order volumes more efficiently (so there's no overlap).
Artificial intelligence integrated into a reservation system is used to create and manage appointment schedules, reducing patient waiting times and optimising staff time. What makes AI even better is that it can match patients with the right doctors, predict no-shows, remind them of appointments and answer patients' questions very quickly without keeping them waiting.
As we mentioned earlier about AI in travel and hospitality, the same applies to generative AI, which also has many uses in the travel industry. This technology, often developed by a generative AI development company, adjusts ticket prices in real time based on demand, analyses the history of previous bookings and searches, and ultimately provides people with personalised travel recommendations.
Many people prefer off-the-beaten-track itineraries and often tend to travel without a clear plan. Artificial intelligence-based reservation systems can generate tailor-made suggestions for travellers with specific requirements. Chatbots that provide instant customer support are also thriving in the travel industry, but we're sure you already know this from your own experience.
AI and ML are also useful for scheduling public services. As a result, it is possible to maintain an organised schedule, taking into account the duration of services and the availability of staff. Booking systems with AI-based chatbots are particularly useful for advising people about the documents they need and the possibility of making an appointment, increasing the efficiency and convenience of professionals and leaving satisfied visitors.
As we have already seen, AI in travel and hospitality, healthcare, restaurants, etc. is a hot topic. However, the innovation process is not without its challenges. As always, data security and privacy are among the most pressing. To reap the full benefits of AI and travel, hospitality, and so on, organisations need to ensure transparency in their operations, comply with regulations and industry laws, and of course ensure that appropriate security measures are in place at all times. What else is worth mentioning in this context?
You shouldn't rely entirely on artificial intelligence because it's just a tool and it's prone to making mistakes, and those mistakes can be too costly. That is why human supervision and control by specialists is still a must.
Nevertheless, the bright future of AI in travel and hospitality and beyond is inevitable. For example, you can offer your customers the opportunity to remotely check the room they have booked, take an online tour of the cruise ship, meet with a hologram of a consulting doctor if they have an urgent problem, and so on. Imagine what the future holds. And the sooner you start embracing the latest technologies, the better your chances of building a resilient organisation for sustainable success in the future.
