It’s undeniable how technology has made life easier and more convenient. With a tap of a button, you can have food sent to your doorstep in a matter of minutes. Mobile apps have also made it possible to shop for a wide range of products (from shoes and clothing to furniture and real estate) from the comfort of your own home.
Technology has also altered travelling in various aspects. It has given the world access to online maps, efficient transport booking systems, hotel booking apps, and access to informative travel sites. Whether you’re planning to travel in or across Canada, to the US, or to other countries, turning to your digital device can simplify the process.
But in what specific ways has technology revolutionized how people travel today? And how can corporate and leisure travellers take advantage of advanced technology to make every trip a breeze?
6 Benefits of Tech to Travel
- Technology has simplified travel planning
The mushrooming of several travel apps over the past decade has made planning all sorts of trips a walk in the park.
Whether you plan to rent a bus, book a flight, or get a hotel room, there’s now a mobile platform to fulfill these transactions. Plus, you have unlimited access to blog articles by experienced travellers where you can extract tips and advice.
With all these at your fingertips, you can now become your own travel planner and sort your itinerary in one sitting.
- Technology has made travel more affordable
Since the internet allows you to access a wealth of information with just a click of a button, you can now search and compare flights without using a travel agent.
If you have the patience to scour through websites, you can score cheap airline and hotel deals.
- It’s now easier to find fun things to do at your destination
Decades ago, it was difficult to gauge exactly what excursions you can do upon arriving at a specific destination or to know about a hotel’s track record. Today, you can instantly check what other visitors have done and read their reviews, so future guests can make a more informed decision.
Technology has made travelling more about focusing on the experience itself instead of worrying about the nitty-gritty details of planning.
- Technology has made travel more efficient
Time is a precious commodity, especially for business travellers. If you often travel within or outside Canada to attend meetings or conferences, you most likely have to follow a strict schedule.
Rather than queueing up to get a bus ticket, you can now buy them online. Instead of planning your own itinerary, you can get a travel agency to do the dirty work for you. All you have to do is send an email or instant message to third-party travel companies. They will take care of everything while you focus on more urgent matters on your plate.
With technology by your side, you can spend your time focusing on your tasks or having fun.
- Technology can lessen your carbon footprint
If you’re concerned about your impact on the environment, technology can become your tool in achieving eco-friendly travel. There’s no need to print your airline ticket, boarding pass, bus reservation, hotel reservation, and several other things that have to be in hard copy.
Now, you only have to check-in online, download your e-ticket on your phone, and secure online reservation coupons. It saves you the hassle of keeping printed items in one place, plus it’s good for the environment.
- Technology allows for safe transactions
Technology has made it easier to adapt to the current status quo, especially with the emphasis on social distancing. With nothing but the internet and your device, you can accomplish all the logistics of planning safely inside your home. It eliminates the need for you to physically go to a location and be within 2 metres of another person.
12 Tools to Use to Better Your Upcoming Travels
Chart your next trip with the following tools:
For convenient booking
If you need a travel guide that can aid you in pre-planning your trip, Google Travel will come in handy. It has an interactive map that presents you with all the destinations, travel deals, and ticket prices all over the world.
- Airbnb
This app gives you accommodation options like hostels and condo units and hotels. Airbnb also allows people to leave reviews and to say what they think about the place’s comfort, price, and location for the benefit of other booking travellers.
To address the current crisis, they have updated their policies to accommodate safety precautions against COVID-19.
- TripAdvisor
Use this tool for looking up accommodations and reading reviews from other travellers before you make a booking.
- Booking.com
If you want to compare the prices of hotels in your destination, Booking.com is the site to go to. It also contains reviews from customers.
For capturing memories
- Smartphone
iPhones and Android phones are a handy option for instantly capturing moments as they happen.
- Professional Camera
If you wish to take quality photographs, you might want to invest in a professional camera from the likes of Nikon or Canon. These cameras give you more flexibility in adjusting brightness, depth, and resolution settings.
- Action Camera
A GoPro Hero camera is one of the best options for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s a perfect match for documenting adventures underwater, in the mountains, or in the wild.
There’s a diverse range of GoPro cameras and accessories to choose from depending on your needs.
For navigation and connectivity
- Google Maps
We all rely on the good old map to show us the way to places we’re not familiar with. When travelling to places you’ve never been before, download Google Maps on your phone.
You can use it even without a data connection. Just turn on your Wifi and it will show you your current location and track your steps toward your destination.
- 3G Data Access
You may want to get a prepaid 3G data service just in case you need to do extensive research along the way and you’re going somewhere without a stable Wifi connection.
Miscellaneous
- Skype
Of course, you need to stay connected to your family and friends back home while you’re on the road. Skype is great for making instant voice and video calls anywhere around the world.
- Google Translate
This tool allows you to download language packs and use them offline for any communication applications abroad. Download the languages before you travel outside Canada.
If you need a platform that can help you track your bookings, download TripIt. If you’re subscribed to the Pro version, you get notified of changes and delays in your bookings as well as travel restrictions.
Choosing the right technology and tools when travelling is no rocket science. It all comes down to picking the ones that you truly need and are beneficial to your type of travel. Familiarize yourself with the tools you want to use before you leave and stay on top of current events.
The Canada travel ban has been lifted, but travellers are still advised to stay within the country. Think carefully before choosing your destination.
When you’ve decided where to go and need a modern bus rental service for your travel needs, look no further than Parkinson Coach Lines. We have buses equipped with amenities like cell phone, VCR, PA system, AM/FM stereo cassette/CD and DVD, restroom, deluxe seating, climate-controlled and luggage storage to give you a pleasant travel experience. For bookings, call us at (905) 451-4776 or (905) 451-5499.