Travel Industry to Switch On More Automated Processes to Cope With Reduced Staffing
Skift Take
Forget animatronic robots. But software that replaces repetitive tasks that white-collar workers do in back-offices, tracking devices that can alert when hand sanitizers are empty, and mobility scooters that drive themselves are some of the examples of automation that may be worthwhile.
Travel firms are looking to automate some back-end processes to help cope with a return to ordinary volumes of business.
Automation isn't a new trend. But the pandemic may speed it up. Some companies are deploying more automation to limit the interaction between staff and passengers, while others are automating processes to cope with reduced staffing during the recovery.
Consumers may also have become more accepting of some types of automation because they had limited mobility and restricted access to services while under stay-at-home orders during the pandemic.
"Some consumers may get used to ordering meals online or through an app and opting for 'click and collect' or delivery for other shopping needs," noted Iis Tussyadiah, professor of intelligent systems in service and head of the department of hospitality in the Schoo
