Experts in the field of managing technological systems and information technologies in the tourism and hospitality sector reported that new technological innovations based on smart services have recently been introduced in local markets, oriented or tailored for specific categories of consumers in society with their needs, as opposed to traditional service systems providing general services. According to them, these services are one of the key innovations and modern solutions in the digital transformation in the fields of tourism and hospitality.
At the Arabian Travel Market exhibition, which concluded yesterday at the Dubai International Trade Centre, experts noted that these services include virtual payment cards, which are designed for spending in specific areas and with specific limits for clients, in association with tourism service packages, which allows reducing financial risks, as well as applications providing specific services in restaurants and hotels, directing clients to pre-authorized payments for service use through digital technologies, without human involvement during the payment process or while using the service.
The managing director and partner of "Cashew" company, Armin Muradi, pointed out that "personalized and client-oriented smart services are one of the most important innovations of digital transformation at this moment" and added that "instant virtual cards are issued tied to each booking, with designated spending for each card and instant access to this transaction independent of the currency used."
Melika Kennedi, managing director for business development at Yangoo Edz for the Near East and Africa region, emphasized that "technologies of artificial intelligence and data contribute to shaping the future sector of tourism and travel, allowing anticipating traveler sentiments and preferences and providing individual smart services in accordance with their requirements and needs."
Meanwhile, Haytem Abdulaziz, the operational director of the hospitality management division, noted that "oriented and personalized smart services are one of the most important innovations and systems of digital transformation in the hospitality sector," adding that "various technologies, including artificial intelligence, are widely used in the UAE markets in the fields of hospitality and tourism at a more intensive pace than before."
Mohammed Al-Najhi, operations head at "Sahabah Hospitality" group, believes that "personalized smart services are one of the newest trends in the processes of digital transformation in the hospitality and tourism sector, allowing to provide and define services through specific applications for clients without human involvement, which facilitates the enhancement of mobile applications usage for hospitality services on digital service packages," noting that "a broader shift towards digital services in the hospitality sector is expected in the near future along with satisfied client requirements and hospitality management services."
