The relationship between travel and technology is well defined as the industry has always been quick to adopt new innovations that improve efficiencies and elevate consumer experiences. Mass adoption of data enabled mobile devices has created seismic changes within the travel industry as more than 7.9 billion devices have been activated worldwide. From travel research, purchasing, media capture and connectivity, ‘smartphones’ have become a key tool for consumers inside the travel workflow. Surveys from BankMyCell have suggested that 92.5% of leisure travelers take their mobile devices on vacation with the majority checking their smartphone 1 – 5 times per hour while on trip. The increased usage of mobile devices while traveling can be attributed to the constant evolution and increased functionality of smartphones. Either way, smartphones have become the go-to and must-have travel accessory in the digital era as more travel consumers pack their devices for the trip. TTS has a suite of mobile apps that create conveniences and deliver benefits to both travel consumers and businesses that serve the travel industry.
medTOUR+assist
One of the more important growth categories is healthcare travel which includes medical tourism and wellness trips. Medical tourism refers to clinical and medicinal procedures that occur abroad and can be elective or non-elective. Dental procedures, medical scans and cosmetic surgery are the most popular sub-sectors of medical tourism with countries such as Mexico, Turkey and Thailand leading the way. Wellness travel includes holistic retreats and other lifestyle therapies that can include nutrition, yoga and similar lifestyle improvements. Organizing and navigating foreign healthcare systems can be stressful and medTOUR+assist is a mobile app that helps travelers plan and organize healthcare trips and keeps users connected to localized resources with WALT, TTS’s AI powered agent. Next version evaluations will increase interaction and users will be able to plan a ‘sample’ trip as well as engage with WALT with their own questions. Version 2.0 will also showcase WALT’s suggestive and cross-marketing capabilities through optimized resources and improved prompting. Visit the medtourassist.com hub for more information on the platform.
PokkeTTREK
Travelers that use smartphones while on-trip are demanding more from their devices and well designed apps can help maximize the capabilities of mobile technology. PokkeTTREK is an all-in-one travel app that enables users the ability to track vital trip statistics, organize and access past trip information, create video and still media and share trip details, images and videos across any social media network all within the app. A unique map plotting feature brings past trips to life and gives users an entertaining visual representation of their journey. Two unique functions make PokkeTTREK stand out:
- Where Am I? function gives instant and localized recommendations across different categories.
- Ask WALT allows users access to TTS”s AI powered concierge for real time support and recommendations.
Next versions of PokkeTTREK will showcase map plotting functionality, the Where Am I? function based on the user’s own location and access to WALT for live, real time inquiries from the user. PokkeTREK is a dual purpose technology and delivers marketing and preference insights to travel and related business through the proprietary SnapShot information panel. Version 2.0 will highlight the functionality and benefits of the SnapShot panel and use within the travel industry. Visit PokkeTTREK.com for more information on the platform and its benefits.
Building Apps for Travelers and Travel Businesses
Recognizing the demand for technology, TTS builds task specific apps that deliver conveniences and benefits to travelers and travel businesses. Focusing on niche and singular demographics, medTOUR+assist and PokkeTTREK are designed to help travelers stay organized, informed and connected to support services while on the go. TTS mobile apps are designed to provide distinct benefits to travel and related businesses through modular white labelling opportunities, in-app marketing opportunities through the AI frameworks and external marketing and preference insights that can help optimize product and service offerings. Increasing usage of smartphones during travel has created a ‘golden age’ of opportunity for travel and related businesses to gain travel consumers’ attention through their own technology and devices. Brands and businesses that have ‘captive’ audiences will see bigger benefits and stronger reach with either medTOUR+assist and PokkeTTREK apps or their white label equivalents. Limited function, online evaluations are available with next versions expected in Q1 / 2027. Visit the Evaluation Portal to access the current generations: https://traveltechnologysolutions.net/EvalPortal/
