Guest Post: Wanted – the latest advances in technology

By Ewan MacLeod, founder of Mobile Industry Review.

By Ewan MacLeod, founder of Mobile Industry Review

This September I need your help. I will be presenting to 60 of the most influential luxury travel buyers and suppliers from around the globe at the inaugural Connections Luxury event.

My role will be to explain the latest advances in technology (with a focus on mobile). I’ll also be demonstrating many of them first hand (think: Google Glass, wearables and so on). I would welcome your ideas for technology and services that I can include on the day.

First, here’s a bit of background. In total there will be 30 buyers who account for about £2 billion annual spend on luxury travel. Their clients range from sports stars, celebrities and high net-worth individuals.

Each of these clients demands the best and it’s rare for holiday budgets to drop below £20k for a week, with many topping £100k.

The buyers work hard to find holidays to exceed the expectations of their customers. Technology is now playing a key role in the decision process for both the client and the travel agent. For example, many clients demand Wi-Fi even when they’re on an island in the Maldives.

Connectivity is just one issue. Clients are now expecting to be able to ‘program’ much of their holiday experience from their smartphone, and have everything from room service to summoning their chauffeur on-demand.

It’s not easy to achieve the data connectivity required to deliver such seamless service; this is something start-ups and existing providers are addressing. I’d like to ensure I’ve got all bases covered.

So, if you’re got any suggestions for products or services to present, please get in touch.

Contact Ewan at ewan@mobileindustryreview.com