While technology has its many uses and advantages for and in the travel industry, it is not an unbridled blessing, and needs to be handled with caution.
This was one of the messages that came out at the Digital Travel, Hospitality and Innovation Summit 2017 held in New Delhi, India, on March 22 and 23, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), a top industry body.
Tourism Ministry Joint Secretary Suman Billa said that digitalization has made the playing field fair and open to all – small and big players.
G. B. Srithar, Regional Director of the Singapore Tourism Board, South Asia, Middle East and Africa International group, spoke of the need to see technology being made use of that has a heart.
This sentiment was shared by many speakers, who spoke of many plus points and a few minus points, or limitations, of the digital technology that is now taking over.
Deep Kalra, founder of Make My Trip, said online bookings have gone up very quickly.
Some delegates at the meeting said that the online travel agents (OTAs) often did not do justice to individual or exclusive properties, which require special treatment.
The two-day summit attracted some top names in the travel industry.
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