6 exciting travel tech startups to watch
Technology is driving seismic change in the travel industry - from how we book our transport and accommodation, to the way social media is opening up exciting new destinations. But while technology and the Internet has made travel cheaper and more efficient, there are still many areas where it can improve our enjoyment of life on the road. Here are six of our favourite travel tech start-ups who can help us do just that...
DayBreakHotels - use hotel facilities during the day
https://www.daybreakhotels.com/GB/en-GB
This Italian start-up enables people to book hotel rooms and services during the day - at between 40% and 70% less than an overnight stay. For example, you might choose to book a room, a room with spa, or just a meeting room - combinations of which can be booked on the DayBreakHotel app or website. A genius way for weary travellers to take a day-time break - and ideal for chilling before a long-haul evening flight, for example.
BRB (BE RIGHT BACK) - Netflix for travel
This tech start-up works a bit like Netflix: you pay a monthly subscription of £49.99 to travel to up to 60 European countries. Users provide preferences such as destinations, departure airports and travel dates. BRB then books surprise trips for users, giving them about a month's notice. It also books centrally-located hotels with a TripAdvisor rating of at least 3.5 stars.
Wingly - book seats on private flights
This tech startup works a little like BlaBlaCar - allowing you to book passenger seats on private flights. The key idea is the costs are shared equally between the pilot and the passenger(s), with average fees of around £50 per hour. It doesn't go up against established scheduled airline routes. Wingly flights are available in many countries, but most activity is in Germany, the UK and France. It might be the perfect way to enjoy an affordable flight on a light aircraft, perhaps as a birthday celebration or anniversary. As well as being a super-fun idea for plane-less folks who wish to take to the skies, it dramatically cuts costs for aircraft owners. Another example of technology finding a way to use otherwise wasted capacity.
Comtravo - clever business travel management
This one might interest those who undertake regular business trips (or those who book them). Comtravo launched in 2015 in order to help small firms book and manage their travel. Harnessing both automated and human resources, this system uses machine learning to fine-tune its offering.
Crowdvision - intelligent pedestrian management
This UK startup uses advanced video technology to analyse crowds in places such as airports, sports venues and convention spaces. Crowdvision's data helps clients to better manage and plan flows of pedestrians. Although it sounds a bit Big-Brother-esque - this clever machine learning tool is helping our airports become less clogged up - which can only be a good thing!
TASTEMAKERS AFRICA - off-beat African experiences
https://tastemakersafrica.com/
This tech start-up makes it easy to find those less well-known African experiences. The service eschews the famous safaris for unique local tours and experiences, such as Azonto dancing in the clubs of Accra, or watching traditional Zulu rituals in South Africa. While the start-up is aimed at the burgeoning African middle class, anyone planning a more off-beat African adventure can use the service.
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