Australians now rely on their mobiles when travelling

Mobile phones are now an essential accessory for how Australians manage safety while travelling, new research reveals. 

Nearly one in three Australian travellers would feel unsafe abroad without access to mobile data, new research from travel eSIM provider Saily reveals.

The survey of 7,861 people found that 32% of Australians who travelled internationally in the past two years would feel somewhat or very unsafe without mobile data. 

“Mobile data used to be something travellers relied on for convenience," says Vykintas Maknickas, CEO at Saily. 

"Today, it is how they navigate unfamiliar places, access reservations and boarding passes, translate conversations, contact family, or call a ride. 

"When all of those tools disappear at once, being offline can quickly feel less like a digital detox and more like losing a safety net.” 

Australians reported slightly more concern than the global average across the eight countries surveyed, where 29% of international travellers said they would feel unsafe without mobile data. 

Across eight countries surveyed, 29% of international travellers said they would feel unsafe without mobile data. 

Younger travellers feel the most exposed without a connection

Even travellers who arrange mobile data in advance should be prepared for low-signal areas, technical issues, or a dead phone battery.

Maknickas recommends:

* Downloading offline maps for the destination before departure.
* Saving accommodation details, tickets, and emergency contacts directly on the device.
* Taking screenshots of essential booking information and directions.
* Carrying a charged power bank.
* Setting up mobile data or an eSIM before traveling rather than relying on airport or hotel wifi after arrival.
* Agreeing in advance on a meeting point when travelling with others in case someone loses connectivity.

“Travelers do not need to choose between staying connected and being prepared to go offline," he said. "The safest approach is to arrange reliable connectivity before the trip while also keeping essential information available offline.” 

Image: Andrii Shablovskii, Scop.io 

AI bot can help you book the right hotel room

Sick of hearing about AI?

Join the club.

But digital travel platform Agoda has just introduced the Room Grid Bot, an AI-powered chat assistant designed to help travellers decide which room to book.

Available in the Agoda mobile app, the new tool recommends rooms suited to their specific needs.

Agoda says it offers travellers a wide selection of room options when booking a hotel, with room types and offers varying by occupancy, cancellation terms, meal inclusions, and price.

The Room Grid Bot addresses this by using travellers' current search details and the preferences they share in the conversation to recommend the most relevant options.

These recommendations appear directly within the chat, helping travellers narrow down their choices without needing to compare every listing manually.

Bookers can access the bot from the room-selection page after tapping "Select room" on a hotel's property page in the Agoda app. 

They can start a conversation by tapping the "Need help choosing a room? Let AI help you" banner without leaving the room-selection page.

Travellers can ask the bot to find options with specific inclusions, such as free breakfast, or to answer relevant property questions, such as check-in times. The Bot also highlights a "Best pick," helping them identify a suitable room based on their preferences more easily.

Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer at Agoda, said: "Choosing a hotel is only part of the booking decision. Travelers also need to find the right room for their trip, which can be challenging when many options are available.

"The Room Grid Bot helps narrow down those choices based on what travellers want and need, making it easier to identify and book the room that best suits their trip."

The launch builds on Agoda's growing suite of AI-powered tools across the hotel booking journey. The Property AMA (Ask Me Anything) Bot answers accommodation-specific questions - "can I have a room with balcony?" as travellers check out a property, while the Booking Form Bot addresses common questions during checkout.

* Agoda is owned by Booking Holdings, which is listed in the UN Database of businesses profiting from illegal Israeli settlements.

 

A by Adina offers tech-driven city centre living

 

Location is everything when choosing a hotel.

If you are planning meetings in the Sydney CBD then you probably don't want to be staying in Bondi, or Coogee, nice as those beach suburbs are.

If you want to enjoy Chinatown, the historic Rocks district and the Sydney Opera House, then a hotel in Parramatta is not appropriate.

A by Adina in Sydney is ideally located for just about all the city's main business and tourism destinations. 

It is directly opposite Wynyard station - a 15-minute train ride from the airport - within a short stroll of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and The Rocks, and there is a light rail stop just 50 metres from the entrance. 

You'll enter via a walkway - with reception located on level 21 of the building. 

The accommodation is apartment style with our cosy, high-tech bedroom adjoining a living area with plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy a movie or a cocktail. We did both. 

The A by Adina brand was launched by TFE Hotels in 2021 aimed at both corporate and lifestyle travellers. It's like having your own city crash pad. 

Team members are, sadly, known as curators, with each adopting a concierge approach. 

Very good most of them are, too, with the exception of the slow-moving and clearly uninterested breakfast room attendants. It's hard to be grumpy, though, after a night in one of the super comfy Dreamcatcher beds - and the a la carte breakfasts are very good.   

Rooms - ours was  a one-bedroom king apartment - are well thought-out with designer amenities, and clever interior design - you've got to love electric blinds and curtains. 

There's unlimited free wifi, a well-stocked mini bar, coffee machines & pods, a tea selection, Smart TV with Chromecast and plenty of power points and USB sockets. 

There is 24-hour reception, so someone is always on hand, in this case right downstairs from the excellent Dean & Nancy on 22 cocktail bar. 

There is also a swimming pool and fully equipped gym. 

In a first for TFE Hotels, A by Adina is using an integrated control system that seamlessly readies any one of its 194 apartments (82 studio, 104 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom apartments) with air con and blinds the moment guests commence check in. Nice. 

A by Adina Sydney, 2 Hunter St, Sydney 2000. See https://abyadina.com/en/luxury-hotels/sydney

* The writer was a guest of TFE Hotels 

Where to find global insider tips on where to eat

Tip  

Surely the last thing the world needs in another restaurant app?

Well, yes and no.

World of Mouth has just launched WoM Concierge - a new restaurant discovery tool that aims to help food-loving travellers find restaurants recommended by more than 800 chefs, food writers, restaurateurs and sommeliers around the world.

Instead of relying on anonymous ratings or popularity rankings compiled by diners with dubious tastes, Concierge is deisgned to let users describe what they are looking for and receive recommendations backed by named experts whose taste they can trust.

The expert network includes names such as Albert Adrià, Massimo Bottura, Will Guidara and Ana Roš. Impressive.

It came up a little short when I asked for seafood dining in Hobart, but it did come up with my long-time favourite Juveniles as an option when I asked for a Paris wine bar choice, and it named the excellent Saint Peter for a fish dinner recommendation in Sydney.

World of Mouth boasts that it starts from a different place: the person behind the recommendation
matters.

WoM Concierge is a restaurant discovery chat built on recommendations from more than 800 experts - food writers, chefs, restaurateurs and sommeliers around the world. 

"Twenty years ago, when you landed in a new city, you called the one person who knew where to eat," says Kenneth Nars, creative director and co-founder of World of Mouth. 

"We wanted to re-create that on a global scale. The technology is new, but the behaviour is ancient." 

So ask where to eat pizza in Naples (just about anywhere is the right answer), and the Concierge might point you to 10 Diego Vitagliano - one of Massimo Bottura's favourite pizzerias, and tell you why it stands out. 

Ask for a natural wine bar near Tokyo Station or a traditional spot in Lisbon, and you'll get considered recommendations. 

"Asking WoM Concierge where to eat feels surprisingly personal - it's like asking a chef friend who knows all the best places," says Santiago Lastra, chef patron at KOL in London.

The core idea is simple: some of the world's leading voices in food are now one question away. But looking at bigger cities get better answers right now.

"We've been building our expert community for years, and it's based on a shared mission," says CEO says Saku Tuominen. "We want to give visibility to places that deserve to be seen, not to the ones that pay for it.

"With Concierge, we can now do that in a far more personal and useful way."

At launch, Concierge is free to try in a web browser and works anywhere in the world. Check out www.worldofmouth.app

Australia edges towards the 21st century

Australia is finally entering the 21st century when it comes to entry formalities.

Filling out paper forms like the one above will soon be a thing of the past for millions of travellers to Australia as the Government rolls out digital passenger cards following a successful trial.

It will provide $56.1 million over four years for traveller modernisation at airports across Australia.

In a collaborative partnership with the Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Qantas, the Australia Travel Declaration pilot program has delivered a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card.

Since the pilot commenced in October 2024, more than 450,000 passengers on eligible inbound Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne have trialled the Australia Travel Declaration, with anecdotal evidence proving the trial has been a significant success.

This new pilot, in partnership with Qantas will continue to be introduced to other capital cities including Perth and Adelaide, before the end of 2026.

The Australia Travel Declaration will then be rolled out to all international airports and seaports in a phased approach over the next 12 to 18 months, initially accessible via a webform option, with an aim to continue to collaborate with industry to co-design in-app capabilities.

The broader rollout of the Australia Travel Declaration will streamline facilitation and reduce manual processes for passengers, enable digital collection of information ahead of time and increase data quality for risk assessments, allow for rapid updates and management of global risks and events, such as biosecurity outbreaks, and meet passenger expectations for a biometric-enabled, seamless digital border experience.

"Making arrivals simpler and quicker means visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer," says Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell.

"This is a win for tourists and a win for our tourism operators, helping make Australia an even easier and more welcoming place to visit."


Major travel hubs like the 29 Schengen Area countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Thailand have largely replaced paper arrival cards with direct passport scans, digital travel authorizations, or online systems


It is a belated change. Major travel hubs like the 29 Schengen countries in Europe, the United States, Canada, the UK, Singapore, and Thailand have already largely replaced paper arrival cards with direct passport scans, digital travel authorizations, or online systems.

New technology to aid hotel guests

Leura Gardens Resort in the NSW Blue Mountains will be the first hotel in Australia to launch digital wallet key technology, allowing guests seamless access to the hotel’s rooms and facilities with a tap of their phone.

This new system provides guests with a convenient alternative to physical key cards, while still offering traditional options for those who prefer them.

Owner Dr Jerry Schwartz has been trialling keyless technology for several years and will utilise cutting-edge door lock and software solutions developed by Vingcard - a leading innovator of advanced technologies tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry - at Leura Gardens Resort.  

With Vingcard’s cloud-based Vostio Access Management technology, the property can automatically generate digital wallet-compatible keys that are securely delivered to guests' devices via advanced encryption.

The digitalised room keys are automatically activated when a guest checks in electronically and are ready to use as soon as their room becomes available, allowing guests to go straight to their rooms and access them with a tap on their phones.

The room key is stored in a wallet on any iOS or Android phone and is similar to the technology used for concert or plane tickets.

The key works without needing to download or open any app, navigate to a special screen, or unlock the device.

The same digital wallet-based key can also be used to access the hotel's facilities for even greater convenience. 

If guests choose to extend their stay, the key is automatically updated, eliminating the need to visit the front desk.

While the technology has been used in hostels in Australia, Leura Gardens Resort is the first full-service hotel or resort in Australia to successfully introduce it.

"The hotel industry in Australia has been slow to adopt the technology, which is surprising given that we use our mobile phones to board planes and enter sports and concert venues,” said Schwartz.

“I’m convinced that entering a hotel room with a digital key on your phone will become another extension of that, and the innovation at Leura Gardens will become a template for the wider industry.

“This is all about enhancing the guest experience. Some people will prefer to go to the front desk and check-in in person, but others want a more seamless experience. We are catering for both groups.

“Our guests will be able to use the technology without needing to use an additional app. Instead, arriving guests will receive their ‘room key’ by downloading it from their check-in confirmation email and adding it to their smartphones.”

See https://www.leuragardens.com.au/

Coming soon: The world's first robot-operated hotel

The future is now.

In China, Pudu Robotics, a leader in commercial service robotics, and Shenzhen Culture & Tourism Industry Development Co. Ltd have officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop the world’s first full-scenario robot-serviced hotel on the West Artificial Island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. 

 The island is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in China, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is widely recognised as one of the world’s most complex cross-sea transportation systems, combining bridges, tunnels, artificial islands, and underwater interchanges into a single engineering marvel.

The plan is to transform West Artificial Island showcase for artificial intelligence, robotics and smart tourism. 

As a strategic gateway connecting key cities across the Greater Bay Area, the West Artificial Island provides a platform to showcase next-generation technologies to visitors from around the world.

Unlike hotels where robots simply assist employees, the project aims to automate virtually every guest-facing and operational task. 

Service robots already deliver amenities in many hotels across Shenzhen and other major cities, while some properties have introduced humanoid robots at reception desks. This, however, will be the world’s first hotel designed from the outset to operate entirely without human staff.

The 44-room hotel is scheduled to open in 2027, although visitors will be able to experience the concept earlier. Pilot operations are expected to begin in late 2026, with a limited number of rooms available for public testing.

Designed as a next-generation hospitality destination, the hotel will integrate robots across every major service scenario, including guest reception, room delivery, cleaning, food service, and guest support. 

Powered by embodied AI and multi-robot collaboration, the project represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive deployments of robotics in a real-world hospitality environment.

The company says its AI platform, powered by its proprietary PuduFM 1.0 foundation model and PuduAgent operating system, will coordinate all robotic services through a shared intelligence network. 

Different robot models will perform specialised tasks while communicating with one another.

Among them, FlashBot will deliver drinks and snacks ordered via smartphone, the T300 robot will transport luggage to guest rooms, while the CC1 Pro and MT1 autonomous cleaning robots will maintain the property using AI-powered waste detection and adaptive cleaning technology.

The hotel itself will be the first phase of a broader smart tourism initiative. 

Over the coming four years, robotics and AI services are expected to expand across West Artificial Island, supporting attractions, restaurants and visitor facilities. 

It will be fascinating to see guest reactions. 

Why patience is a virtue at European airports right now

 

Heading to Europe this northern summer? Patience will be needed. 

Travellers using major European airports are being urged to get through passport control before browsing shops, grabbing a meal or heading to airport lounges. 

Disruption linked to the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to cause major delays.

The warning comes after multiple reports of travellers missing flights due to lengthy queues at European border controls since the biometric system was fully introduced in April.

One of the most widely reported incidents saw an easyJet flight from Milan to Manchester depart with just 34 passengers onboard after more than 120 travellers were unable to clear passport control in time. 

Some passengers reported waiting up to three hours despite arriving at the airport well in advance of departure.

Travel experts are warning that similar disruption could occur throughout the summer as passenger numbers increase across popular destinations including Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Greece.

Jürgen Himmelmann, co-founder at Global Work & Travel, said: "Many travellers still have the old airport mindset of arriving, checking in and then spending an hour shopping or having a meal before heading towards the gate.

"This summer, that could be a costly mistake.

"If you're travelling through an airport affected by EES checks, your priority should be getting through security and passport control as quickly as possible. The shops, restaurants and lounges can wait.

"A lot of airports now have food outlets, coffee shops and retail stores beyond passport control.

"Once you're through, you can relax. Until then, you're taking a risk because queues can build incredibly quickly and move far slower than people expect."

Under EES, non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders, must have biometric information recorded when entering or leaving the Schengen Area. The process includes passport verification alongside fingerprint and facial recognition checks.

Industry groups have warned that the system is creating significant bottlenecks at some airports. 

One of the biggest issues is unpredictability. Travellers know how long security usually takes. They know roughly how long bag drop takes but with EES, the experience can vary dramatically depending on the airport, staffing levels and how many first-time registrations are being processed.

Himmelmann's tips include: Arrive earlier than you normally would, particularly during school holidays and weekends; go directly to security and passport control after checking in; save shopping, dining and browsing until after you've cleared border checks; If you're travelling with children, allow extra time for delays.

See https://www.globalworkandtravel.com/

Image: Dmitry Bogdanov, Scop.io.

Massive upgrade for Toronto

 

Canada’s busiest airport is to get a much-need upgrade that will help it service increasing numbers of passengers, news hub Travel Pulse reports.

The upgrading project at Toronto's Pearson International Airport broke ground this week and is being billed as one of the biggest airport infrastructure projects in Canadian history. 

The first phase of the decade-long renovation will see airfield technology upgrades and expansion, as well as an overhaul of the baggage network.

“The future is very bright, and our 52,000 workers will expand to 68,000 jobs over that term, as well, at a time where good jobs, stable jobs, are very important to the country and locally,” says Pearson CEO Deborah Flint.

During phase one, which is earmarked at $3 billion dollars, a new, state-of-the-art airfield lighting control and management system will enhance visibility and guidance to support operations on runways and taxiways. 

In Terminal 1, new luggage carousels will be installed, and investments are being made across 30 kilometres of its baggage infrastructure, with new cameras and sensors for early-issue detection being added.

"We know that in today's time, Pearson must be ambitious, we must be dynamic, and we must be transformative,” says Flint.

Pearson welcomed 45 million passengers in 2025, and expects to grow to 60 million by the early 2030s.

Flint said the project includes a new high-speed taxiway to improve movement of airplanes between gates and runways.

"You hear it at many airports, but in this case, as it's completed, you'll hear less of the pilot saying: 'We're here early and we're waiting for a gate.' So this will help with that."

Ontario transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria told reporters at a news conference that Pearson is an important piece of infrastructure in the province and country.

"It's a huge step forward to modernize and expand a cornerstone of Ontario and Canada's transportation system," Sakaria said. "It means upgraded infrastructure, improved passenger experiences, expanded capacity and the ability to support Ontario's growth for decades to come."

Scraps to shiraz: Meet Australia's innovative "circular wine"

The Australian wine industry has another innovation under its belt, with Canberra district winemaker Four Winds Vineyard this week releasing Australia’s first "circular wine"’, using insect‑derived fertiliser created from food waste through a partnership with ag‑tech company Goterra and one of Australia’s largest hotels, Hyatt Regency Sydney.

The system converts food waste from the hotel into fertiliser used in the vineyard rather than sending the waste to landfill. Grapes from the vines nourished by the fertiliser are then turned into a new Circular Vintage series being served by the hotel.

Pretty neat.

The innovation offers a practical alternative model for vineyard nutrient management at a time when fertiliser supply and input costs are under increasing pressure thanks to an orange ballroom-building clown.

The initiative applies circular‑economy principles with a shiraz the first release, to be followed by a riesling.

Food waste from the Hyatt Regency is consumed by flies and recycled on-site into a rich frass, or fertiliser, which then nourishes the vines that produce the grapes that return to the hotel in the form of Four Winds Vineyard’s 2025 Circular Vintage Shiraz.

The waste from the Hyatt’s kitchens goes directly into Goterra’s specially built modular infrastructure for Biological Services (MIB) unit in the hotel’s basement.



Four Winds Vineyard CEO Sarah Collingwood says the circular wine project made perfect sense for the family-run vineyard, 30 minutes’ drive from Canberra, which won the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for its 2023 Shiraz at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.

“We loved the idea of being able to return nutrients to the soil rather than having them end up in landfill,” Collingwood. 

“For us, this was about finding a practical way to close the loop between food, farming and wine and we’re incredibly proud to put our name to The Circular Vintage series, which shows that innovation and quality can go hand in hand.

“The Circular Vintage Shiraz is a typical cool-climate shiraz with distinctive white pepper and spice characters. We are equally excited about the riesling, which has been hand-picked recently and has the delicate citrus and floral flavours you come to expect from a Canberra District riesling.”

Hyatt Regency Sydney executive assistant manager Nitin Kumar, who established strong connections with local winemakers during his previous tenure at Park Hyatt Canberra, said Four Winds Vineyard stood out as a producer that shared the hotel’s commitment to quality and innovation.

“Partnering with Four Winds Vineyard on an Australia-first initiative like this allows us to showcase wines with a story that resonates well beyond the glass,” Kumar says.

"We're literally serving our guests wine grown from their breakfast," said Sven Ullrich, the hotel's executive chef.

"It sounds wild, but it's actually the most natural thing in the world, returning nutrients to the soil instead of sending waste to landfill."

See www.fourwindsvineyard.com.au

Hospitality? Meet a hotel that prefers tech to the human touch

Ever feel you are being gently fed bulldust?

That’s how I felt when I read a story on the HM (Hotel Management) website - a hospitality industry site.

“The guest experience in the local Fiji hospitality market will be elevated following the rollout of the nation’s first self-service check-in and check-out kiosk.”

Elevated? 

So someone thinks avoiding any human contact when checking in and out of a hotel in a tourism hotspot. And in a country noted for its slow lifestyle and friendliness.

Holiday Inn Suva has introduced an optional self-service kiosk station, in a bid to allow faster and more streamlined processes, particularly during peak periods.

Let me translate that for you: “We don’t have/or want to have enough trained staff to cater adequately for our guests when we are busy.”

I love contact with hotel reception staff. They can often tip you off about a great new bar around the corner, or a terrific spot to try a local delicacy at the nearby market. Or help you if you'd like to change your allocated room, or request an early check-in.  

But IHG doesn’t agree. It is putting its faith in technology. Which would make sense at quiet overnight times, but not, for me, at peak periods.   

HM reports: The self-service kiosk operates on a cashless basis and accepts local and international credit cards, with the introduction reflecting a broader change in traveller behaviour seeking convenience and choice, according to the hotel group.

“Across IHG Hotels and Resorts, we are focused on introducing technology that responds to how guests travel today, while reinforcing the importance of human connection at every stage of the stay,” says regional general manager, Fiji and Pacific, for IHG Hotels and Resorts, Lachlan Walker. 

“The introduction of a self‑service kiosk at Holiday Inn Suva reflects this approach. Led by Akshay Chand in collaboration with the hotel team, the project demonstrates how practical innovation can enhance flexibility and efficiency for guests, while enabling our colleagues to focus more time on delivering meaningful and personalised hospitality.”

Holiday Inn Suva general manager Mohammed Feroz said the introduction reflects both changing guest expectations and the brand’s long‑standing focus on ease and reliability.

“Holiday Inn has always been about making travel feel straightforward, welcoming and dependable for our guests. As travel habits continue to evolve, guests increasingly value speed and choice, particularly at arrival and departure. The new self‑service kiosk allows us to respond to those expectations, while staying true to the Holiday Inn promise of friendly, approachable service delivered by our team.”

Hmm. Just wait until the tech breaks down - a la those frequently malfunctioning airport machines that are supposed to "streamline" the arrivals process. 

Tourism Authority of Thailand ups its tech game

With tourism in Asia increasingly competitive, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has relaunched an updated ‘Amazing Thailand’ app. 

The new version integrates AI technology and secure payment solutions, offering a "worry-free travel experience", TAT says.

The Amazing Thailand app now features tools for every stage of a travel experience including planning, booking and making secure payments.

An AI-powered chatbot (oh no!) aims to make real-time recommendations based on prompts and user preferences.

The app suggests suitable itineraries, places to stay, dining, activities, plus traveller safety tips, local newspaper The Nation reports.

The newest version of the Amazing Thailand app can be downloaded from March 15, 2026.

Kittipong Praphathong, deputy governor for Digital, Research, and Development at TAT, said the new app is a key step in developing Thailand’s national digital tourism platform. 

It strengthens the country's global tourism competitiveness and supports local businesses with sustainable economic opportunities.

Travel industry will force customers to deal with AI bots

Do you prefer to get travel advice and assistance from a human being? 

Tough luck. The travel industry has decided to save money and cut jobs, deciding that you would rather deal with AI bots. Whether you like it or not. 

Bizarrely, from online agencies to national travel boards, the travel industry is boasting that it prefers bots to humans. 

Exhibit one: Digital travel platform Agoda this week introduced the Booking Form Bot, an AI-powered chatbot designed to answer travellers' booking-related questions at the final stage of the booking journey. 

Agoda boasts that "the new tool aims to help travellers answer last-minute questions and complete their reservations with ease and confidence". Personally I would have more confidence dealing with a human, 

Internal research by Agoda found that 28% of users navigate back to the property page from the booking page to re-check trip details. Customer research revealed that the main reasons to pause or exit the booking journey are questions about promo codes, cancellation policies, and price discrepancies. 

The Booking Form Bot addresses this by providing instant, context-aware answers to questions such as "Can I cancel for free?" "Does this booking qualify for cashback?", etc. 

Just like an old-fashioned travel agent used to do - but probably with less accuracy. 

Idan Zalzberg, chief technology officer at Agoda, said: "Helping travellers stay informed at every step of their journey is central to building trust in our platform. At the booking stage, last-minute questions often arise around cancellation options or payment terms. The Booking Form Bot provides instant answers right when travellers need them, helping them book with confidence."

Agoda says it "continues to invest in AI-powered tools that make travel planning simpler, faster, and more intuitive for millions of travellers worldwide".

Exhibit Two: South African Tourism 

Travellers considering a trip to South Africa can now get expert advice from "Siyanda", a "cutting-edge" AI travel assistant that provides instant answers to any travel or tourism-related questions about the country. 

Siyanda is built on Matador Network’s industry-leading GuideGeek chat platform and is tailored to support travellers "seeking authentic, vibrant, and joy-filled journeys across South Africa. 

Because nothing says authenticity like an AI-powered bot. 

But that doesn't stop the marketing vomit. 

“South Africa has a ton of momentum as a destination,” said Matador Network CEO Ross Borden. 

"Siyanda helps travellers quickly go from being curious about South Africa to planning and booking their ideal trip to a large country full of rich cultural experiences.”

Responses are personalised and generated in real-time by AI-trained on extensive data. 

Apparently, Siyanda is also a valuable tool for travel advisors looking to deepen their knowledge and better serve their clients. 

If your travel advisor needs AI assistance it might be worth looking elsewhere. And good luck with blaming a bot when things go wrong. 

Image: Shubham Soni, Scop.io 

Dubai wants technology to kill off traditional hospitality

Whenever I check into a hotel I invariably have a chat with the check-in staff.

Maybe there is an event or market going on nearby, or perhaps they can recommend a local restaurant, or nearby wine bar.

It is all part of the hospitality industry, but it is human interaction that officials in Dubai are apparently keen to kill off.

Dubai is rolling out a citywide, contactless hotel check-in system that will allow guests to skip the front desk entirely after completing a one-time digital and biometric registration, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Officials are describing the move as "a new global benchmark for convenience and innovation in hospitality".

It will probably also save hotels money on staff, but don't mention that.

Announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, the initiative enables travellers staying at hotels and holiday homes to complete check-in formalities before arrival using their mobile phones.

Once fully implemented across the city, guests will be able to bypass in-person check-in completely, streamlining arrivals and reducing wait times but making each stay more impersonal.

The system, developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and offered through several independent technology providers, allows guests to upload identification documents and biometric data a single time.

That information remains securely stored and valid until the ID document expires. For future stays, guests would only need a quick authentication, such as facial recognition, to access their accommodations.

Officials say the initiative directly supports the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. That aims to strengthen the Emirate’s position as a leading global hub for business and leisure while accelerating digital transformation and smart city development.

Nearly a quarter of Dubai’s visitors are repeat travellers, and authorities see the new check-in process as a way to enhance loyalty by making return visits faster and more seamless.

“By leveraging cutting-edge solutions, we are not only enhancing the visitor journey, but also strategically positioning Dubai for sustained tourism growth,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

He added that the program reflects the city’s ambition to create a smart, secure and frictionless urban environment.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, described the rollout as a milestone for Dubai’s hospitality sector. He said it highlights the impact of collaboration between public and private sectors and supports the broader goal of expanding tourism’s contribution to the emirate’s economy.

Dubai is home to 820 hotels and hotel apartments and welcomed 15.7 million international overnight visitors in the first 10 months of 2025.

Qantas chooses Adelaide as technology hub

Qantas has chosen Adelaide as the location for a new technology hub opening next year.

The Australian flag carrier is establishing a new Product Innovation Centre in Adelaide to accelerate the delivery of “intuitive, world-leading digital experiences” for the millions of customers who travel with the airline each year.

The Centre is projected to be home to more than 420 highly-skilled technology roles over the next three years, bringing critical innovation capability in-house, the airline says.

The new purpose-built technology and innovation centre, which is being supported by the South Australian Government, will be based in Adelaide’s CBD and open in March 2026.

It will become the home of the airline’s technology product development teams, where product managers, digital experience designers, software engineers, and data and AI specialists will come together to cha ge how customers interact with Qantas.

Qantas is also partnering with Adelaide University to build graduate recruitment pathways directly into the Centre, creating opportunities for South Australian students to help shape the future of travel.

The centre will enable the airline to bring more critical innovation and technology skills in-house, supporting major initiatives, from the growth of its domestic and international network to new customer experiences and AI tools that help frontline teams serve customers better. 

For customers, Qantas says the centre will help deliver better digital experiences at every stage of the journey. From enhanced app functionality, seamless check-in to smarter baggage tracking. It will also develop AI-powered tools that help when travel doesn’t go to plan.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said the centre would transform how the airline delivers customer experiences.

“Innovation has been a core part of the airline’s DNA for more than 100 years,”Hudson said. “This centre marks a new chapter in our efforts to reimagine the travel experience for the millions of customers who fly with us.

“Technology and AI is critical to lifting the customer experience at every part of the journey, from booking to inflight and baggage collection. This new hub will bring the best Australian skilled talent together to build digital products and experiences that make travel easier and more personalised.

“Adelaide gives us access to world-class universities, a thriving tech community, and the ability to scale our in-house capability. It’s an investment in Australian innovation that will deliver real benefits for our customers.”

South Australian Premier the Hon Peter Malinauskas said:
“This historic agreement with Qantas will help supercharge growth in new highly skilled, high tech jobs.

“Through strategic partnerships under this agreement, including the collaboration between Adelaide University and the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), we are building a strong pipeline of talent with advanced AI and digital skillsets. 

“This initiative will ensure South Australia remains at the forefront of emerging technologies and future workforce opportunities.”

The new Qantas Product Innovation Centre is the latest in a series of investments by the national carrier in South Australia, including the recently opened lounge precinct at Adelaide Airport and the return of international flights from Adelaide to Auckland which launched earlier this month.

Major travel player is banking on AI technology

Can Artificial Intelligence help deliver a better travel experience?

That is something the Trip.com Group is banking on.

Personalised experiences are what travellers are looking for today, the Trip.com Group said as it shared strategic insights on how it is redefining the traveller's journey through AI-powered tools.

Focused on creating value and customised experiences for travellers, the company showcased its latest features, data insights and strategies at ITB Asia 2025, held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

On-trend jargon was full throttle at a panel gathering "Driving Innovation in Travel through Technology" presented by Edmund Ong, senior regional firector, SEA and general manager, Singapore, for Trip.com Group.

He said the company is staying ahead of change by harnessing AI for personalised travel experiences and highlighted how travellers can receive "highly tailored" recommendations through AI-powered tools such as TripGenie.

Last month, TripGenie's traffic rose 125% year-on-year, with over 200% increase in users and conversations made.

"When we look at the traveller journey, we see the power of AI in enabling personalised experiences for our users who are seeking the best options at the best value," Ong said.

"To do so, we believe that collaboration is the right way forward. It allows us to leverage the strengths of our partners to build a trusted and tailored experience for our customers from end-to-end."

In a "deep-dive session" called "How Intelligent Personal Technology is Reshaping the Traveller's Journey" – Trip.com Group's senior product director Amy Wei shared how AI can transform the travel experience into "one that is personal, intelligent and anticipatory".

She said consumers today expect hyper-personalisation, from real-time travel inspiration to dynamic itinerary crafting. "With tools like TripGenie, travellers now have an intelligent travel co-pilot that provides a simplified and frictionless overall experience".

Call me old fashioned but on the evidence I have seen AI has a long way to travel.

"There is a huge change in how we interact with technology today," Wei said.

"Generic travel searches have evolved into AI-driven discovery and natural conversations. We designed TripGenie with this in mind, re-architecting the entire traveller journey. This allows travellers to instantly turn their travel inspirations into bookable itineraries and recommendations that cater to their preferences and needs at every step."

Hmm. Still not convinced.

* Image: Tarran Goodwin, Scop.io  

Airline to say definitive goodbye to paper boarding passes

Airline industry disruptor Ryanair has announced plans to ban all paper boarding passes from November 12. 

The Irish budget carrier says the shift to accepting only digital passes means that all customers will now need to download the Ryanair app, affecting roughly 20% of passengers who currently use paper boarding passes. 

Digital board passes will "minimise" delays, the airline says. 

Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, also announced earlier this year that he expects to get rid of virtually all airline check-in desks, saying the move would "create a smoother, easier journey for everybody". 

Speaking to The Independent newspaper, O'Leary said: "Between 85 and 90% of passengers show up with smartphones. Almost 100% of passengers have smartphones, and we want to move everybody onto that the smartphone technology."

But he conceded the big concern that people have is: "What happens if I lose my battery or whatever I lose my phone?"

O'Leary had an answer: "If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you've checked in before you got to the airport, we'll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge. But you have to have checked in before you got to the airport.

"Also, if your battery dies or something happens, once you've checked in, we'll have your sequence number anyway at the boarding gate, we'll take you you'll get on. So nobody should worry about it. Just make sure you check in online before you get to the airport and then all will be fine."

Indonesia streamlines entry formalities for visitors

Whether you are heading to Bali, or Jakarta, entering Indonesia should be a whole lot easier.

Indonesia has rolled out a new nationwide digital entry portal called All Indonesia. 

It consolidates immigration, customs, and health declarations into a single online form, news hubs Travel Mole reports.

The Bali Hotels Association confirmed this week that the platform replaces multiple processes such as SATUSEHAT (health declaration) and e-CD (customs declaration).

International travellers must now complete the All Indonesia arrival card within three days before entering the country. 

The digital process should take less than three minutes. Once submitted, travellers receive a QR code via email, which must be shown at immigration and customs checkpoints.

From Monday. the All Indonesia declaration will be become mandatory for travellers arriving at the international airports of Jakarta (CGK), Denpasar-Bali (DPS, above), and Surabaya (SUB).

From October 1, 2025, the system will be extended to all international airports in the country, including Komodo, Makassar, Manado, Medan or Yogyakarta. 

The country’s sea and land border posts will also use the system, including Benoa in Bali, Batam and  Bintan. 

The form will be mandatory for all foreign visitors. It however does not replace visa requirements. It will help unify entry procedures under a single portal, streamlining arrival formalities at international gateways.

Airalo makes staying in touch overseas easier than ever

Remember the old days when you used to brace for massive overseas roaming charges each time you travelled overseas?

Then came the trend of installing a new local SIM card into your mobile device every time you switched countries.

Now, eSIMs are the way to go - a few clicks on your phone and an eSIM is installed for your destination. Land, click and you are away, at a cost of just a couple of dollars a day.

Running out of data? Easy. A couple more clicks, a couple more bucks, and stay in touch.

I tested out the Airalo eSIM on a 10-day trip to Bali - including some remote locations - earlier this month. I was impressed both with the ease of signing up, and the ability to stay connected in places where I had no wifi access.

Airalo, founded in 2019, came highly recommended by a couple of travel writing colleagues and its PR operative helped set me up on the service. I'm an instant convert

Airalo, which promotes itself as the world’s leading eSIM provider, celebrated a major milestone recently: 20 million users have embraced its fully digital eSIM technology.

The outdated, traditional SIM card industry relies on a plastic-heavy, high-emission supply chain, producing billions of single-use SIMs each year - equivalent to 20,000 tonnes of plastic.

An eSIM emits 46% less CO2 throughout its product lifecycle than a single SIM card.

By eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, Airalo's eSIM technology is helping to reduce the telecom industry's environmental footprint at scale, while offering a more efficient and eco-friendly way to stay connected.

“Reaching 20 million users is more than a business milestone - it’s a clear signal that the world is ready for a more sustainable way to stay connected,” said Ahmet Bahadir Ozdemir, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Airalo.

“Every eSIM activation represents less plastic waste, fewer carbon emissions, and a step toward a greener planet." 

Unlike traditional SIM cards, which require swapping and often get lost or discarded, eSIMs are fully digital and easily manageable through your own device.

This flexibility allows travellers to switch between eSIM plans and countries effortlessly, without worrying about physical cards or compatibility issues.

Current offers include unlimited data for 10 days in 42 countries in Europe with Airalo Eurolink for $58.50.

To learn more visit www.airalo.com.

Cruise giant orders more ships as industry booms

The cruise industry is an unstoppable force.

No matter how many crises it confronts, the simple truth is that a lot of people are happy to spend good money to be at sea on huge ships.

MSC Cruises, one of the industry heavyweights, this week announced a firm order for two new ‘World Class’ series ships.

This will take the number of MSC ships in the class to six.

The new vessels are currently being referred to as World Class 5 and 6 prior to being named and are expected to be delivered for service in 2029 and 2030.

The pair will be built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard outside Nantes in Frabce and will be powered by alternative fuel sources including LNG, travel portal Travel Mole reports.

The 6,700-guests ships will join MSC World Europa and MSC World America (above), which have already launched, and MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic, which will be delivered over the next two years.

“The confirmation for the two new World Class ships marks a new milestone and the continuation of our long-term industrial plan,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises.

“The highly successful World Class platform combines the very best in environmental technology with the latest advancements in guest experiences.”

The new ships will also have shore power plug-in capability and advanced wastewater treatment systems.