Blockchain in Travel: Unlocking the Potential of the Technology
As the world is constantly evolving, so does traveling. Now, customers want a flawless travel experience, so companies must meet clients' expectations. Luckily, this can be achieved with the help of blockchain technology.
Blockchain is mainly known as the technology that powers the crypto ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Binance Coin, and other thousands of them. Still, its potential is huge and can be adopted in other industries as well, including travel. To comprehend the potential of this technology, it’s enough to remember that hundreds of companies accept crypto payments, from McDonalds to Wikipedia. It’s anything but uncommon to see travelers check the ripple price prediction and think about how good of a purchase they’d make with the XRP stored in their wallets.
In a world full of online services, blockchain has become a knight in shining armor, which improves everyone else's experience and gives market leaders a chance to have a better competitive edge.In this article, we will discover how blockchain can revolutionize the travel sector, unlocking new avenues for customer experience and enterprise growth.
Why Does the Travel Industry Need Blockchain?
The travel industry contains plenty of information, as data sharing is the backbone of it. Be it check-ins, booking, luggage handling, passenger preferences, lodging and updates, all these operations are full of information exchanged in the framework. In this space where each information is essential, there is no room for errors. However, in the last few years the complexity of customer data has increased, and so have cyber threats. This is why blockchain is the best ally in improving security.
How Does the Blockchain Function?
Simply put, a blockchain is a distributed ledger technology containing a list of records or blocks that can expand rapidly, being linked together safely. Blockchain is a decentralized ledger that stretches across a peer-to-peer network so that participants can carry transactions without needing a central authority. This technology brings numerous advantages, including better speed, advanced cryptography, mathematical behavior models, cybersecurity framework, and great security.
The complex system of carrying out transactions and recording data makes it quite impossible for someone to hack the network, and this is why blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries. Blockchain can be the best weapon for forward-thinking leaders.
The Benefits of Blockchain Technology in the Travel Industry
Decentralized Bookings
The travel industry is currently dominated by online travel agencies (OTAs). However, there is a demand for more options and collaborations that will lead to better financial and operational benefits for both consumers and businesses. The travel industry could improve in a great measure if decentralized platforms for bookings were implemented in the sector. Because decentralization eliminates the need for middlemen, blockchain can offer more solutions to hotels and customers, streamline communication and make the process more affordable.
Helps in Identification
The travel sector relies on identification services that lack some features. But, blockchain can improve many aspects, as it can shorten wait times and airport check-in lines. With this technology, identification papers can also be replaced by other methods, including quick fingerprints or even retina scans.
Locating Luggage
Blockchain can be the best tool to monitor luggage, especially when we are talking about international travel. Depending on the length and change of flights, a customer's luggage is going through the hands of several people. However, sharing data between many parties will become more straightforward with the help of a decentralized database.
Streamlined Payments
The settlements between travel agencies, hotels and other service providers will be streamlined with the help of blockchain technology. Blockchain makes all interactions more secure and faster than ever, and thus, it can assist businesses in preventing fraud and data theft. Furthermore, blockchain can aid companies in controlling costs by accurately analyzing, recording, and forecasting spend. Plus, this technology also enables streamlined operational procedures while offering a seamless payment experience to customers.
Supply Chain Administration
Blockchain ensures improved visibility on the supply chain, and it can help assist hotels and providers in making the interactions more efficient. The blockchain could connect importers, exporters, packers, and other parties so that anyone can see and trace all the information.
Enhanced Traceability and Tracking
A decentralized database makes operations quicker, simpler, and more private by tracking data among alliances, businesses, and different locations. In the tracking process, this helps raise consciousness, prevent negative incidents and ensure on-time deliveries. Because of all these advantages, the travel sector can experience numerous opportunities.
Real-world Implementation of Blockchain in Travel
Winding Tree
Winding Tree is a decentralized travel marketplace that functions with the help of blockchain. It allows travelers to book travel facilities directly with each other without relying on a single party. This eliminates the need for intermediaries, like travel agents, which will reduce costs in the long run.
Travala
Travala is a travel booking platform that functions with the help of blockchain technology. Furthermore, the platform also accepts crypto payments so that people can book travel arrangements without using a credit card. Travala is an excellent example of a company leveraging the power of blockchain technology to create a transparent and secure system so that users will confidently pay and book travel arrangements. Travala also has its own native digital currency, AVA, with which you can obtain loyalty rewards, make payments and receive refunds.
LockTrip
LockTrip is a travel marketplace that is based on blockchain technology. The platform wants to bring benefits to users by saving 60% of their purchases. In this way, they can make prices affordable for all consumers. LockTrip offers a decentralized network to review, store and compare travel options before booking them directly. With the help of LockTrip, users can book their own travel arrangements while saving costs.
Blockchain in Travel
Consumers are slowly embarking on a new journey that can improve the experiences they have had until now. Although blockchain is quite a modern technology, it can revolutionize numerous industries, including tourism. Blockchain technology can forever change the travel sector with the help of improved security, increased transparency, reduced costs, and enhanced customer experience. In this way, travel will become more convenient, affordable and efficient.
Plus, the possibilities that blockchain brings in tourism are quite endless. As the technology continues to evolve, more applications will surely appear in tourism in the years to come.