Business travel to become like ‘science fiction’ as destinations go cashless, survey suggests

Business travel to become like ‘science fiction’ as destinations go cashless, survey suggests

Business trips will feel like “science fiction” in a decade, according to the DCC Forum, which surveyed travellers on the technologies of the future. More than half of business travellers expect many destinations to be completely cashless within the next … Continue reading

Business trips will feel like “science fiction” in a decade, according to the DCC Forum, which surveyed travellers on the technologies of the future.

More than half of business travellers expect many destinations to be completely cashless within the next decade, a survey of 500 business traveller found.

The DCC Forum said 55% of business travellers believe no cash payments will be accepted by 2027 and 51% predicted that all payments will have to be made via mobile by then.

Its research also found that 73% of business travellers expect driverless shuttle services between the airport and hotel and that 82% expect they will regularly be using smartphones as hotel keys within the next decade.

Furthermore, 81% predicted virtual, reception-free hotel check-in, and 79% predicted that VR previews of hotels would be commonplace by 2027.

And 68% predicted supersonic planes would be in regular operation within the next decade, while 63% said car sharing apps are likely to replace car rental companies altogether.

In-ear translators would be commonly used by 2027, 63% of those surveyed said, and 49% thought passports will be replaced with implanted microchips.

But a third of people said development of reliable video conferencing and telepresence meant that they were now taking fewer business trips abroad. This was also attributed to the fall in value of the pound, to which 19% attributed the reducing the number of business trips they take. But 57% said the sterling slump had no impact on business travel plans.

Jennifer Conneely, board member of the DCC Forum, said: “As the pace of technological progress accelerates, particularly in areas of payments and transport, business trips abroad will begin to feel much more like science fiction. Most of these will address the key pain points for business travellers, and help to make trips abroad a more efficient and enjoyable experience. However, as an increasing number of destinations become virtually cashless, understanding the different options for debit and credit card payments will be more important than ever to avoid any potential frustration or confusion.”