"If you want to be successful and grow and perform well, you really have to understand the technology and what’s out there,” said Cees Bosselaar, who presented findings on “Travel innovation & technology trends: 2013 and beyond” report in London.

　　Though travel demand in Europe stalled during the global recession, the pace of technological progress continued unabated. Those hotel and travel companies that seek success must either catch up or risk becoming irrelevant, according to a new report.

　　"If you want to be successful and grow and perform well, you really have to understand the technology and what’s out there,” said Cees Bosselaar, director of business development and a destination marketing specialist for PhoCusWright, who presented findings from the company’s “Travel innovation & technology trends: 2013 and beyond” report during the World Travel Market in London.

　　There was not one game-changing advancement or trend but rather a confluence of subsequent shifts that are changing the overall environment, he said during a news conference.

　　"Each of those trends, they should not be viewed individually but as a mosaic of interconnected trends and parts,” explained Florence Kaci, PhoCusWright’s director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and European market specialist.

　　Following are the top 10 technology trends that will help hotel and travel companies leverage innovation in the coming year and beyond.

　　1. New patterns of content challenge distribution

　　The old model of travel distribution, which saw large intermediaries—such as global distribution systems—aggregate content for booking, is being undermined by new models, Bosselaar said.

　　Personal clouds, for instance, allow users to access information anywhere, anytime and on any device. The “Internet of things” enables integration of connectivity and objects that can influence a trip, such as real-time baggage location, weather conditions and homeland security advisories.

　　Ubiquitous online communications allow even small hotel companies to connect with customers in real-time, allowing them to shop and book without delay. Those same companies, as well as the individuals they serve, also are better able to collect and integrate itinerary data from multiple sources without a GDS, he said.

　　2. Too much choice means less is better

　　"Giving people too many choices tends to lessen their satisfaction,” Kaci said.

　　Online travel agencies used to provide as many options as possible to exhibit their computing clout. Today the focus is on providing relevant results that target the specific needs and wants of each traveler.

　　"The new traveler, the millennial as we call him today, embraces technology and embraces all devices, and he wants to be shown the right information for what he needs,” Kaci said.

　　Providing such targeted content is even more critical in the mobile arena, where smaller screens require both streamlined offerings and the presentation of those offerings.

　　3. Social technologies change the shape of travel

　　Facebook alone has more than 1 billion users, while social media in general reaches 85% of the world’s total Internet users, Bosselaar said.

　　However, travel companies have yet to unlock the true potential, he added.

　　The discussions of return on investment are outdated, Bosselaar explained. Instead, social media should be thought of as a way to engage with target customers.

　　Besides, social media is still in its infancy, he said.

　　"Social media is here to stay. In the next five to 10 years, you will see that it will generate leads and performance will be up,” Bosselaar said.

　　4. New efficiencies re-energize the customer experience

　　As demand for customer service increases, new technological advances will lower the cost of providing it. But travel companies must consider whether a penny saved comes at the risk of a pound of customer preference.

　　"Excessive menu trees or outsourced call centers in foreign countries may cut monetary costs but frustrate customers. Each travel company needs to determine how to use customer service technology in a way that increases customer satisfaction and reduces costs,” the report states.

　　5. Cross-platform data access engages users

　　As customers realize their dreams of accessing desired digital information on any device or platform, hotel and travel companies are facing nightmares in providing the necessary development and support.

　　HTML 5, which allows programmers to “write once, run anywhere,” could be the answer, Bosselaar said.

　　What is not the answer: ignoring the need to develop across different browsers, interfaces and devices.

　　"Cross-platform data access requires travel companies to track the changing user-interface patterns of their customers to provide the appropriate level of service. This will be a continuing process as new technologies evolve and businesses become less restrictive about the devices their employees can use for particular tasks. The suppliers and distributors that support the most user-friendly, convenient interfaces will enjoy increased market share,” according to the report.