How technology is transforming the travel and tourism industry  

Cruising into the future

These developments have wide-ranging implications. Increasingly, tourism companies are taking steps to upgrade and enhance the existing tools and information technology systems that are running their organisations' operations. 

For example, Carnival Cruise Line is modernising its core technology infrastructure to power its global fleet of cruise ships. DXC Technology recently announced a multi-year partnership with Carnival to build a reliable and scalable technological backbone for the cruise line. The aim is to minimise technology disruptions and address Carnival’s unique challenges in maintaining seamless experiences for more than six million guests per year, regardless of location. 

With DXC managing the cruise line’s complex IT operations and delivering modern solutions to create efficiencies, Carnival can concentrate on what they do best to ultimately enhance a traveler’s experience.

Carnival’s improvements come at an opportune time, as the broader cruise industry has rebounded more strongly than any other travel segments following the 2020 global pandemic. Moreover, growth in demand for cruise stays has exceeded demand growth for hotels during the past two years. 

Air travelers enjoy innovations above and below the wing

Beyond cruise ships, airlines are also thinking ahead, enhancing convenience for their workforce and customers. 

Take United Airlines, for instance. The Chicago-based carrier has joined forces with DXC to modernise its core computing system so that critical operations run smoother for its workforce as well as the approximately half-million passengers its aircrafts transport daily. 

“Modernising the mainframe is key for us,” said Grant Milstead, VP of Digital at United Airlines. “It’s not easy or glamorous work, but it’s a big part of unlocking the value we want to create going forward, to continue to scale and grow.”  

United is also releasing a suite of mobile apps that provide passengers, pilots and crews with access to critical flight information, keeping everyone connected and informed during every step of their journey.

Transforming every touchpoint of the travel experience

From booking a trip to mobile check-in to baggage retrieval, a traveler’s journey is made up of numerous touchpoints—each one an opportunity to make the experience more human, more responsive and more connected to a traveler’s unique needs. 

For example, when you board a United Airlines plane, there’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes—involving flight attendants, pilots, crew and others—to make sure everything is tightly coordinated and that the plane leaves on time. Mobile apps keep airline passengers constantly connected and informed, giving them greater control over their journey.

The goal is to make every travel-related experience and process more intelligent and personalised—from the planning stage, to the boarding gate, to the ultimate destination and beyond.