Data has the power to fuel post-pandemic recovery and future growth for the travel industry, but its potential is still untapped. Poorly integrated legacy systems, business silos and a lack of leadership support leave many data projects stalling before creating any value.

The need to reset and reinvigorate their approach to data couldn't be clearer: only 17% of executives felt confident they had the necessary information and insights to make informed business decisions during the pandemic.

So, what does a data-powered travel company look like? To achieve this status three key steps are necessary: action to put data at the heart of the business culture, the right technology infrastructure and the governance and leadership accountability that will drive its use. Explore our research and we’ll help put it all into action.

While the travel industry is in a much better position than it was two years ago, they still need to adapt to a fast-evolving reality. From baggage screening and wayfinding apps in airports to hotel concierge services and booking engines, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to dominate.

Many business fundamentals, such as understanding travelers' needs, capturing demand, managing revenue, and streamlining operations, hinge on capturing real-time moments and trends. But according to our survey, only 13% of travel companies have the AI maturity today to unlock that potential. We call them AI Achievers.

Our research shows how to become an Achiever by following these five critical success factors: promote AI as a strategic priority, invest heavily in talent, create an AI core, design AI responsibly and prioritize short and long-term investments.

Over the next decade, travel companies will have the opportunity to bring new technologies and worlds of experiences. The metaverse will touch all facets of business, from consumer to worker and across the enterprise, from reality to virtual and back and from cloud to AI to extended reality.

But how can travel companies seize these opportunities for future growth and competitiveness?

Our latest Accenture Technology Vision taps into four major trends shaping the future of the travel industry. First is WebMe, to challenge Travel businesses to rethink their online presence. Then, a Programmable World to improve customer service by providing immersive experiences for guests and employees. The next trend is called The Unreal, for hospitality and travel enterprises looking to grow their use of AI; and finally, Computing the Impossible, to tap into the power of high-performance computers to solve operational problems once considered unfixable.