WTTC teams up with Trip.com to deliver new industry-tech report

It features AI, super apps, and Quantum Computing could be in use before the end of the decade

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group have unveiled a new report at ITB Berlin spotlighting the innovations set to revolutionise the industry.

The report titled Technology Game Changers: Future Trends in Travel & Tourism, a new report at ITB Berlin, explored 16 transformative technologies shaping the future across four major trends: digital technologies, financial technologies, future of mobility, and breakthrough innovations.

The report underscored the critical need for investment in digital skills and regulatory frameworks to unlock the full potential of these technologies.

With 91% of travel businesses planning to increase their tech investments, the industry is on the brink of its most significant transformation since the dawn of the Internet.

Featuring exclusive insights from Trip.com Group, Hilton, Qatar Airways, and MSC Cruises, the report highlighted how global leaders are already leveraging these cutting edge innovations.

It suggested that by the end of the decade, AI agents won’t just automate travel searches and bookings – they could match human intelligence across many tasks, transforming Travel & Tourism as we know it.

Quantum computing could soon be solving problems too, from optimising global air traffic in real-time with unprecedented efficiency, to unlocking the next frontiers of space travel and deep-sea tourism, bringing both closer to reality.

Supersonic flight is set to make a spectacular comeback, more than twenty years after Concorde retired as Boom Technology and United are set to carry passengers at "blistering" speeds within the next four years.

Meanwhile, smart cities with driverless cars and advanced air mobility won’t just reshape today’s top destinations – they’ll open doors to places once thought unreachable, redefining the tourist experience for the travellers of tomorrow.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “The Travel & Tourism sector is in the midst of a digital revolution. From AI-driven personalisation to sustainable aviation, innovation is reshaping how we explore the world. 

“As travellers turn to social media, streaming platforms, and cutting-edge tech to inspire and book trips in real time, platforms like Instagram are shifting from selling products to selling experiences. Meanwhile, technology is unlocking new adventures off the beaten track.

“With innovation accelerating at an extraordinary pace, businesses embrace these advancements today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow.”

Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director & Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com Group, added: “Travellers today expect planning and booking to be intuitive, efficient, and hyper-personalised.

“At Trip.com Group, we are pioneering AI-powered travel assistance, Super Apps, and innovations to cater to, and even exceed such expectations. This report is also an essential guide for businesses looking to stay ahead of rapid digital change.”

More key insights from the report found that AI is revolutionising Travel with 94% of industry leaders see AI as mission-critical. 

AI-powered assistants like Trip.com’s TripGenie saw a 200% surge in usage in 2024, revolutionising trip planning and customer experiences.

A survey of 8,000 travellers found 97% want a single platform integrating flights, hotels, activities, and payments, for a frictionless journey meaning super apps could very well be the answer for demand.

Sustainable travel will take off with Virgin Atlantic’s first-ever 100% sustainable fuel transatlantic flight, to Port Miami’s expansion of shore power, the Travel & Tourism sector is embracing a greener future.

Finally, space tourism, once a distant dream is now a commercial space travel rapidly approaching reality, with infrastructure and demand accelerating at an unprecedented pace.