Although facial recognition software is being trialled by two leading travel companies in a bid to use emotional responses to provide personalised holiday recommendations, there remains significant scope to develop the technology in order to increase customer conversion rates, says leading data and analytics company GlobalData.Ê
Elena Mogo_, Associate Analyst of Digital Travel & Tourism at GlobalData, says: ÒFacial recognition software registers unfiltered, real-time emotional responses, which Ð if correctly evaluated Ð can provide more profound answers to customers’ needs and wishes. In addition to better precision and efficiency, the solution could drastically decrease the time spent deciding on a holiday destination, which in turn reduces frustration and the likelihood of abandoning the holiday package purchase.Ó
Germany-based travel and tourism group TUI and London-based emotional intelligence company Realeyes developed a prototype facial recognition machine Ð Destination U Ð in October 2017. Designed in the shape of TUI’s logo, the futuristic chair is equipped with over 2,000 images, which represent around 60 different holiday choices.
Destination U, which is currently in the testing stage, uses facial coding and emotion measurement technology to stimulate imaginations and tap into the subconscious. A unique algorithm computes every subtle facial expression to a rapid series of evocative moving images of destinations and experiences and uses that data to prescribe a Ôperfect holiday’ destination for customers.
Expedia’s ebookers.com introduced an online facial recognition toolÐ SenseSationalÐin December 2017 to provide holiday recommendations to customers.
Mogo_ adds: ÒThe modern traveller expects every service and product to be as personalised as possible, and thus travel companies cannot use a one-size-fits-all-strategy any longer. Destination U and SenseSational are a good start for customer-facing innovation in the industry.Ó
ÒHowever, if travel companies want to take full advantage of this technology, they must find ingenious extensions to incorporate into the digital tools, to actually convince customers into ultimately buying their products or services.ÓÊ
