Ten of the latest game-changing advances in travel tech
Travel for good
By collecting valuable research data, citizen science is a hands-on way travellers can help give back to the destinations they visit. Not too long ago, expensive hardware made researchers reluctant to hand over the controls to inexperienced travellers, but advancements and cheaper technology are opening new opportunities. Guests at Ritz-Carlton Maldives can aid turtle conservationists by piloting drones (after completing simulation training) to detect harmful ocean plastic and ghost nets, and at Tanzania's Usangu Expedition Camp they can help set up camera traps to monitor big cat activity. The iNaturalist app has also gamified conservation tourism by helping travellers collect wildlife sightings much like Pokemon. Antarctic cruise operator HX encourages travellers to download the app once onboard to help document whale, seal and penguin sightings on a voyage to the White Continent. See ritzcarlton.com; inaturalist.org; travelhx.com
GPS self-guided tours
Elon Musk's SpaceX has ambitious plans to launch thousands of satellites into orbit, with a record number of satellites launched in 2024. More satellites armed with next-gen technology will lead to stronger GPS systems, which is making independent travel more accessible. Australia-based European adventure company UTracks now provides hikers with a GPS-enabled app designed to help them navigate the trail and alert them if they go off-course. Closer to home, Australian Cycle Tours has developed a similar app that gives cyclists turn-by-turn instructions and statistics, such as distance covered, while suggesting local sights, cafes and restaurants for a pitstop. See utracks.com; australiancycletours.com.au
Hotel service goes digital
One legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it forced companies, such as Hilton Hotels, to adopt socially distanced digital room keys that can be downloaded to your phone. That innovation has since diverted hundreds of tonnes of plastic cards, so expect it to become more widespread as hotels increasingly go green. Also on the rise are AI-powered concierges such as Jean, the digital butler recently introduced at Park Regis by Prince Singapore. Jean can be called on for room service or to help decide how to spend your day in Singapore. Marriott Hotels has also created Renai, which merges staff insights with ChatGPT and other open-source data to create local recommendations. See seibuprince.com; marriott.com
Smart gate tech rolls out
Last year, Sydney's International Airport joined the rollout of SmartGate systems across Australia, joining Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in the move to the new Gen 3 technology, reducing the time it takes to clear customs. While biometric technology has been in airports for a while now, a push for frictionless travel will see automated electronic gates introduced at border crossings and ports. Testing is already underway in Malaysia, Singapore, Bhutan, India and Zimbabwe, with updated algorithms that can adapt to a growing problem with deepfakes and spoofing, such as fake fingerprints and facial masks.
Power banks tighten up
In April, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and other Asian carriers tightened their rules on carrying lithium-ion power bank battery packs due to the fire risk posed by overheating. Battery packs can still be taken onboard along with other carry-on items, but travellers won't be allowed to use it, charge it using seat-back power outlets, or place it in overhead lockers. South Korea has indicated it will also require battery packs to be stored in a plastic bag. Virgin Australia and Qantas currently allow power banks to be used or charged onboard and don't plan to change their policies, although Qantas advises against using power banks during flights.
Drones take flight
Aided by AI and armed with specialist accessories, drones are now being deployed to do more than just capture sweeping beach panoramas. Case in point: New Zealand, Spain, France and the United States are trialling lifeguard drones to patrol tourist beaches and deliver life vests to struggling swimmers. Drones armed with bacteria-destroying ultraviolet light are being used to clean airports and aircraft cabins, while cities such as Dubai, Shanghai and Miami are embracing environmentally friendly drone light shows instead of fireworks. Australia has joined in on the aerial entertainment with Wintjiri Wiru, a light show at Uluru that brings Aboriginal storytelling to life using 1200 drones. See northernterritory.com
Loading
Emission-free flights
With the International Air Transport Association aiming to achieve net zero by 2050, the race is on to decarbonise Australia's aviation industry, which produces about 5 per cent of Australia's carbon emissions. Smaller Australian aviation companies are already retrofitting existing aircraft with green propulsion systems, such as Kite Magnetics in Victoria and Stralis in Queensland. But fleet manufacturers such as Boeing will need more time to adapt, transitioning to blended fuels made from waste by-products before switching entirely to electric. Perth-based FlyOnE is expecting to offer fully electric commercial flights later this year, with cheaper emission-free air travel to be more widespread in the next five years. See stralis.aero; flyone.com.au
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
34 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Not rich' couple book all-inclusive 15yr cruise
A couple who plan to live full-time on a cruise ship for the next 15 years say they aren't rich and the cost of their epic adventure isn't as much as people think. American couple Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen are less than a year into their 15-year voyage aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey, claiming they bought their cabin aboard the ship for five times less than the median price of an apartment in Sydney. The couple paid about AUD $155,000 for their cabin and spend an additional $5400 all-inclusive fee per month to cover all meals, leisure activities and other ship services. The Ville Vie Odyssey is a residential vessel that will stop at 425 ports in 147 countries in the next three years. The ship spends multiple days at each port unlike traditional cruise ships which get in and out within a day. Mr Bodin said most people were shocked when they realised how cheap it was to make the cruising lifestyle possible. 'People think we're rich but we're not. It makes financial sense and we're at the right age to do this. We're curious people,' Mr Bodin told WGN News. 'We love our new lifestyle. It's just fantastic we couldn't have wished for anything else. 'Our family can visit free 28-days a year and after that $33 a day. It's fantastic we've already had several visitors. 'We circumnavigate the globe every three-and-a-half years, maybe we'll take some longer vacations after we've seen that.' MORE: Couple sell home to live on 15-year cruise The couple had spent the previous decade living in Hawaii where they say their cost of living expenses were double what they now pay for cruising. They document their cruise lifestyle on their YouTube channel: Living Life On A Cruise. Johan and Lanette have almost 30,000 subscribers and millions of views from people interested in pursuing the full-time cruise life themselves. And they are not alone in their huge lifestyle change, with many retirees opting to forego the maintenance of a home for the thrill of the sea. Many people see it as a cheaper option that allows them to tick a number of items off their bucket lists. 'We don't have an exit strategy, we're both 55, we don't need things anymore. We just want adventures and experiences,' Johan said. 'It feels so good to have no responsibilities – we have our laundry done and get our sheets changed twice a week. 'This is the future, especially with working from home. 'If you're not tied down, just try it out! They have a try-before-you-buy program, so you can test it out and see if you like it.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Byron Bay and Bondi ranked as some of the world's most ‘overhyped' destinations
They are the beaches along the east coast championed to the world as Australia's best. Byron Bay and Bondi have long been tourist postcard stops (particularly for backpackers) for decades on end, but a new report may well flip some of our most popular beaches on its head. A new survey has carved out the most overhyped beaches around the world — and the ones that actually live up to their insta-worthy promise. Ibiza Summer Villas, which is a service that specialises in 'curating unforgettable experiences through an exclusive portfolio of luxurious villa rentals across the stunning island of Ibiza' dished the dirt onthe most overhyped beaches in the world, versus the ones that genuinely live up to the hype. The survey ranked over 100 recognised beaches globally by 'combining publicly available traveller reviews, search interest on Google and TikTok, and annual rainfall data to assess weather reliability.' Each beach in focus was scored based on how often it disappointed versus how popular it was online. Topping the list in the first three positions were all Thailand-based — being Railay Beach (famous for its limestone cliffs and accessible only by boat), followed by Patong Beach (often billed as Thailand's party capital) and in third spot was Maya Bay (the stunning cove made famous by the film, The Beach). But coming in fourth place as the world's most 'overhyped' beach was Byron Bay in NSW — followed by the always popular, Bondi Beach. According to the survey, Byron Bay — despite the laid-back lifestyle and celebrity sightings — ranked poorly on satisfaction (with 1.57 per cent of reviews as negative versus the destination's high search volume) and had relatively high rainfall. Bondi Beach — known as one of the most recognisable beaches in the world — had many claim the reality of the location didn't quite live up to the expectation. The survey revealed that Bondi had the highest percentage of negative reviews relative to total reviews, with 2.70 per cent of visitors using words like 'disappointing' or 'overrated.' 'Overcrowding, commercialisation, and tourist fatigue are common themes [for Bondi] earning it a firm spot in fifth place on the overhyped list,' the survey said in a statement. The Bondi Beach reputation has received a rough serve this week — with research conducted by Cloudwards (a source of cloud and privacy software reviews, including popular categories such as cloud storage, VPN and password managers) named Bondi Beach as part of the top 20 most complained about beaches worldwide. The research claimed to 'meticulously' examine TripAdvisor reviews for 200 of the world's most popular beaches to determine 'which sandy shores are leaving visitors feeling salty'. It then ranked the beaches from 1 – being the most complained about, to 100, the least complained about. The study focused on four main areas of criticism – cleanliness, overcrowding, long queues and noise disruption. Coming in first was Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, followed by Venice Beach in LA and Playa Manueel Antonio in Costa Rica. Bondi Beach ranked ninth while Manly Beach secured the 20th spot. According to the study, Bondi has a complaint score of 57.1, a 'dirty' rating of 13 per cent, 'overcrowded' percentage of 75.9 and 'noise disruption' of 3.4 per cent.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Dams, mini golf, water park: Buy a whole camp in Far North Qld
Can't afford a house? A camp as Aussie as a kangaroo on a trampoline has hit the market in Far North Queensland. Camp Paterson in Mareeba has been listed for sale by expressions of interest, and sits on 11.19ha of freehold land with a host of activities designed for school camps or corporate bonding retreats. Now, let's talk accommodation. We're not talking about your average swag here but rather platform safari-style cabin tents and separate digs for the teachers and supervisors. There is also a commercial kitchen for whipping up enough tucker to feed the grub to feed the ravenous ankle biters or a slap-up dinner for the more refined palettes of the corporate crowd. But the real ripper is the activities. With five dams on-site, there's more water-based fun than you can shake a didgeridoo at! From an inflatable water park course to swimming, canoeing, fishing, and even raft building, there is no shortage of activities away from the social media screens. Other activities could include orienteering, obstacle courses, damper making, survival shelter building, and mini golf. It's a fair dinkum playground where students can unleash their inner Crocodile Dundee and hone their skills. For those with a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, this is a golden opportunity to keep the good times rolling with a proven and well-regarded business. Listed with Colliers agent Stacey Quaid, expressions of interest close on July 8. 'Buyers have the unique opportunity to continue on operations as an educational and recreational school camp facility or use the substantial existing infrastructure to broaden the current business offerings,' the listing says.
