Travel tech has revolutionized the way we explore the world, and to get a deeper insight, we’ve gathered perspectives from COOs, CEOs, and other travel aficionados. From discovering local experiences with Klook to optimizing business travel with management platforms, here are the top ten transformative tools and apps that seasoned travelers swear by for crafting their perfect journey.
- Discover Local Experiences with Klook
- Curate Tailored Itineraries Using Tech
- Navigate Public Transport with City-Specific Apps
- Monitor Flight Prices with Google Flights
- Organize Trips Efficiently with TripIt
- Access Information Instantly with QR Codes
- Streamline Plans with Digital Itinerary Wizard
- Overcome Language Barriers with Google Translate
- Blend Efficiency and Comfort with Skyscanner and Airbnb
- Optimize Business Travel with Management Platforms
Discover Local Experiences with Klook
Excursion-booking apps, specifically Klook, have revolutionized the way I plan my travels.
Klook, with its vast array of experiences and activities across numerous destinations, has become an indispensable tool in my travel-tech arsenal. It allows me to discover and book unique local experiences, from cooking classes to guided tours, all at my fingertips. This has not only streamlined the planning process but also enriched my travel experiences, enabling me to immerse myself in the local culture of the over 120 countries I’ve visited.
The real-time availability and instant confirmation features of Klook have added a level of spontaneity and flexibility to my travels, allowing me to adapt my itinerary on the go. Furthermore, the user reviews and ratings on Klook provide valuable insights, helping me make informed decisions about which experiences to include in my itinerary.
Ritesh Raj
COO & CPO, CuddlyNest
Curate Tailored Itineraries Using Tech
Travel technology has indeed redefined how we approach itinerary planning, making it more seamless and efficient.
In my role at Auckland & Beyond Tours, integrating such innovative solutions enables us to tailor experiences that truly resonate with our clients’ preferences and expectations. We use tools and apps, such as TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Google Maps, to curate personalized itineraries that offer the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.
As a traveler and tour operator, the authentic essence of a destination unfolds when we venture off the well-trodden paths. Technology has opened avenues to unveil hidden treasures that were once out of reach. This innovation has transformed how we craft our travel schedules, enabling us to curate exclusive and memorable adventures for our clientele.
Peter Hamdy
Co-Founder and Managing Director, Auckland & Beyond Tours
Navigate Public Transport with City-Specific Apps
I make it a point to use public transport whenever I travel, both domestically and internationally. Each city’s public transportation system varies, with some having trams, while others boast metros. When planning my travels, I rely on Rome2rio to find the best possible connections between cities. Then, within each city, I turn to Google Transit to explore the available public transportation options.
Personally, I rely on Google Transit as it efficiently guides me to the correct platform to catch the appropriate bus, especially in places where I don’t speak the local language, like Vienna or Salzburg. This tool has been invaluable even in my own country.
Japan’s public transportation system is renowned worldwide for its efficiency, and this holds true. However, navigating the train or metro routes in Tokyo can feel like solving a complex calculus problem due to the multitude of options, including underground, subway, and bullet trains.
Thankfully, the “Japan Transit Planner” app from Jorudan Co., Ltd. proved to be a lifesaver, helping us navigate through Japan’s intricate transportation network. The app’s intuitive interface and clear signage depicting various types of trains and buses make it indispensable for anyone planning a trip to Japan.
Sahana Kulur
Travel Writer and Architect, Vacaywork Travel Blog
Monitor Flight Prices with Google Flights
I’ve found using Google Flights very helpful for planning my trips. It allows me to keep an eye on flight prices for my selected dates. The best part is the notification feature that alerts me to significant price drops, so I can book my flights when the prices are lowest.
This tool has made it easier and more cost-effective for me to arrange my travel, ensuring I always get a good deal without having to constantly check for updates manually.
Max Woolf
Travel Expert, PhotoAiD
Organize Trips Efficiently with TripIt
The personalized and streamlined nature of my itinerary planning has been significantly enhanced by travel technology. Apps such as TripIt are indispensable to me when it comes to planning every aspect of my trip, including lodging, activities, flights, and reservations. Its capability of organizing and autonomously compiling travel information from confirmation emails greatly simplifies itinerary management.
Furthermore, I make extensive use of Google Maps to facilitate navigation, locate nearby points of interest, and obtain local recommendations. In regard to lodging, both Airbnb and Booking.com provide an extensive selection of choices that can be customized to suit one’s preferences and financial constraints.
In pursuit of distinctive experiences, I rely on online platforms such as Yelp and TripAdvisor to obtain genuine evaluations and perspectives from fellow travelers. In general, the utilization of these tools has optimized my travel preparations, improved my overall travel experiences, and given me the ability to maximize each excursion.
Anam Barkan
Travel Enthusiast, Director Marketing and Founder, Zoyago
Access Information Instantly with QR Codes
These days, fewer travelers carry paper maps or guidebooks because they can easily access them on their phones. At many tourist spots, you’ll likely see a lot of QR codes that can give you information instantly. For places with long lines, you might not have to wait in line at all; instead, you can get an announcement when it’s your turn.
Also, you can book tables at restaurants and hotel rooms without being there in person. Virtual reality (VR) is changing things, too. As VR gets better, people might start planning virtual trips or even “test” a trip before going for real.
I personally rely on different travel tech tools when planning my itinerary. Two of the most important ones are Google Maps and Klook. Google Maps helps me navigate new places, find public transportation options, and even plan out driving routes. And Klook allows me to book tours, activities, and attraction tickets in advance, often at discounted prices.
Cj Looi
Co-Founder & CEO, Pixcap
Streamline Plans with Digital Itinerary Wizard
Travel tech has revolutionized itinerary planning, turning what used to be a headache into a breeze. Imagine having a personal assistant in your pocket, guiding you through every step of your journey.
From booking flights to discovering hidden gems, the options are endless. Personally, I swear by TripIt—a lifesaver for organizing all my reservations in one place. It’s like having a digital itinerary wizard!
Simon Wojtyczka
Biometric Photography and Travel Expert, Passport-Photo.Online
Overcome Language Barriers with Google Translate
The Google app is actually an invaluable resource when it comes to traveling because of everything it can help you with. My personal favorite thing about it is the translation feature. You can easily translate a menu, road signs, or pamphlets to make your travels much easier. This has transformed my itinerary planning because in more rural areas, they might not speak the same language as me, and it can make traveling tougher and more stressful.
This app gives me the freedom to explore more remote locations and to be able to communicate with the locals much more effectively. You can also translate language, which is great when taking local transportation.
Ha Malloy
Founder, Heat and Heartbeat
Blend Efficiency and Comfort with Skyscanner and Airbnb
Travel technology has streamlined my itinerary planning, making trips more productive and enjoyable. I frequently use Skyscanner for comparing flight options and Airbnb for accommodations, blending efficiency with the comfort of home-like stays.
Skyscanner simplifies finding the best flights, while Airbnb allows me to select lodgings that suit my preferences, ensuring a seamless blend of work and leisure. These tools have transformed travel into a more manageable and pleasant aspect of my role at Yijin Hardware.
Gavin Yi
CEO, Yijin Hardware
Optimize Business Travel with Management Platforms
Travel technology has completely revolutionized the way we plan and execute our business travel itineraries. The advent of comprehensive travel management platforms allows for streamlined planning, booking, and managing of corporate travel with unprecedented efficiency and ease.
Specifically, tools like TripActions and Kayak for Business have become integral to our travel planning process. TripActions, for instance, offers a seamless interface for booking flights, hotels, and rental services all in one place, while providing valuable real-time data and insights to optimize travel expenses.
Kayak for Business, on the other hand, facilitates comparison shopping across numerous travel sites, ensuring that we always secure the best deals. These tools not only save time and reduce travel-related stress but also contribute to considerable cost savings for our company.
David Bui
Director & Business Specialist – Automotive & Automations, Schmicko
