How does technology affect travel? With technology becoming faster and more advanced by the day, it is no surprise that it has started to change how we live and how we think. It is commonly said that technology has also revolutionized the travel industry. This article by HalalTrip therefore focuses on how technological advances have helped change the way we travel.
With the help of the internet, computers and mobile devices, those who wish to travel no longer need to spend hours trying to find out certain details about a destination, or money on a travel agent. With just a few clicks or swipes, travelers can scope out potential destinations, find the best sites to visit, and read reviews on the attractions they wish to visit or the hotels they wish to stay at. Muslim travelers also have it a lot easier now as they can find the availability and locations of Halal restaurants and mosques in advance, without having to waste time looking for these necessary facilities when at the destination, or they could use apps like HalalTrip (iOS and Android), which allows Muslim travelers to find the nearest Halal eateries and prayer facilities.
Buying airline and attraction tickets and booking hotel rooms have also got a whole load easier because of technology. Travelers save money by not having to hire travel agents and save time by not standing in queues at the numerous attractions and events they wish to visit. They also get the chance to compare airline ticket rates, hotel room rates and so on. Most hotels, airlines and attractions also offer special prices and competitive rates for bookings made online.
Today, travelers can not only use their mobile devices to keep track of reservations and bookings, and to help make lists of what needs to be packed, they also get to pack a lot less on the whole as things like guide books and novels, cameras and are now found on most mobile devices. Travelers can also do some research online to see if they will be able to find shops and department stores near their accommodation, so as not to over-pack in fear of ‘what-if’ situations.
With plastic money being accepted globally, travelers no longer need to carry around wads of cash. This reduces the risk of being robbed, and helps travelers enjoy their tours, instead of being paranoid about pickpockets.
Travelers could also make use of Cloud storage by uploading copies of their important travel documents, identification card, passport, hotel bookings, and so on. Since Cloud accounts can be accessed from anywhere, it is easy to retrieve these important documents when needed.
Before visiting a destination, travelers could research the location and find out if the area is safe for them to visit. They could also look up sights that are best avoided and those that are notorious for pick pocketing, so that they are well aware of their surroundings.
Most travelers choose to hire a travel guide because they are unsure of where to go, and are afraid of getting lost. With the Global Positioning System, or GPS, this is no longer an issue for those with a tablet or smartphone. The GPS not only helps you locate the site you wish to travel to, it also gives you your location, and the many routes you could take to get to your desired destination.
Keeping in touch before the invention of technology; such as the internet and mobile phones, was difficult and costly. Today, travelers can Tweet, Skype, Instagram and Whatsapp their friends and loved-ones. With the use of the technology they can also share pictures and videos with their contacts, and involve them in their exciting travels.
If you are planning your next Muslim-friendly tour, click here for more travel tips
