Allianz report tackles the future of travel

A new Allianz Insurance report has revealed some bold predictions about what travel would be like in 2040.

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Published in Allianz Insurance’s “Future Travel Report,” futurologist and author Ray Hammond forecasted that by 2040, travellers will be able to travel without leaving their couch and take trips to space for fun. Luggage-free travel, boarding queues, and self-flying planes will also become commonplace two decades from now, according to the report.

Hammond also said airline passenger numbers will double within the next two decades, placing increased pressure on the travel industry to efficiently adapt to demand.

“By 2040, personal software assistants will be sufficiently intelligent to help travellers book their trips online, and they will be able to cope with all the complexities of multi-destination travel planning in order to meet the needs of the traveller,” Hammond said. “Travel will also become more about rejuvenation, adventure, fulfilment, and learning new skills, rather than just ticking off places to see from a list.”

According to Hammond, some of the biggest changes to travel in 2040 include:

• tourists being able to fly to the moon and back on a regular basis;
• the use of computer systems that can seamlessly scan the traveller’s face and check him into his flight will become standard;
• planes will fly by themselves – without pilot or supervision;
• travellers will be able to send their clothing measurement to a hotel ahead of the arrival for 3D printing of clothes, particularly bulkier items such as shoes and jackets; and
• travellers will be able to “‘step into’ virtual hotel rooms, visit street carnivals, explore museums, or walk into restaurants” through multi-sensory virtual reality technology.