The Limitations of Pre-trip Focus and the On-trip Opportunity

Will Schmahl
Feb 16, 2024By Will Schmahl

In the evolving landscape of travel and hospitality, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into both the planning and execution phases of travel represents a paradigm shift. While the initial focus of AI in travel was predominantly on optimizing pre-trip transactions such as bookings and itinerary planning, a significant opportunity now emerges in enhancing the on-trip experience for guests. This perspective not only broadens the scope of personalized travel experiences but also underscores the untapped potential in on-trip execution. As we delve deeper into this transformative approach, we recognize a burgeoning space for innovation and value creation beyond traditional pre-trip engagements, as well we look at shifting Operator focus with HousMthr to create a secondary market of opportunities for brands to make more revenue with being on-trip.

The Limitations of Pre-trip Focus and the On-trip Opportunity

Historically, the travel industry's emphasis on pre-trip transactions has leveraged AI to streamline bookings and personalize travel packages. However, this approach overlooks the vast potential for engaging with travelers during their journey. On-trip execution, facilitated by AI, offers a pathway to enrich the traveler's experience through real-time personalization, enhanced guest services, dynamic itinerary planning, and improved safety and security measures.

Real-time Personalization and Enhanced Services

On-trip AI can personalize experiences in real-time, adjusting recommendations based on immediate context, such as weather conditions or traveler preferences. Moreover, AI-driven guest services in accommodations, such as smart rooms and AI concierges, provide a seamless, responsive environment that anticipates and meets guests' needs.

Collaborative Ecosystems and Subtle Engagement

The concept of engaging travelers through a collaborative ecosystem of services and brands presents an innovative strategy. By providing a platform for multiple partners to offer their services indirectly, travelers can enjoy a diverse, personalized selection without the perception of risk associated with relying on a single entity. This approach emphasizes contextual awareness, offering suggestions that are relevant and timely, thereby enhancing the traveler's experience without overt marketing.

HousMthr: Bridging the On-trip Execution Gap

HousMthr.com, through its AI-powered mobile app, is poised to revolutionize this space by acting as the critical middleware that connects various travel industry players—airlines, resorts, and more—with travelers on their journey. This platform aims to fill the existing void by offering a unified interface for on-trip engagement, allowing every travel company, regardless of whether a traveler has directly chosen them for that trip, to interact and provide services that meet another on-trip need.

Creating a Unified Platform for On-trip Engagement

HousMthr intends to democratize on-trip engagement, providing a single platform where travelers can access a first a suite of tools in one app to facilitate execution that are all connected for 2 plus more travelers to benefits by their numbers traveling. Then they curated services and experiences from multiple providers against data sets that have happened before and are modeled to scanning the most up to date data, photo, social listening to a point that a traveler can know about a place that just opened that week in a foreign city and that business can promote to them a special engagement and discount with review of their establishment. This model not only enhances the traveler's experience by offering choice and flexibility but also opens up new avenues for and business not just travel to engage with a broader audience same day. By participating in this ecosystem, companies can reach travelers who may not have selected them initially, offering services that cater to immediate on-trip needs and preferences.

Facilitating Partnership and Innovation

By serving as middleware, HousMthr enables direct partnerships between various stakeholders in the travel industry. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, allowing for the integration of diverse services that cater to the dynamic needs of travelers. Airlines, resorts, local attractions, and other service providers can leverage this platform to offer personalized, timelyrecommendations and services, enhancing the overall travel experience.

The Opportunity Cost of Not Connecting

For travel companies not integrated into HousMthr’s ecosystem, the cost is not just a missed sale but a missed opportunity to build a relationship with travelers. In a world where travel choices are abundant, the ability to connect with guests in meaningful ways during their trip can set a brand apart. Every change in a traveler’s plans or preferences represents a moment where they are potentially seeking assistance, recommendations, or services. By not being part of this ecosystem, companies lose the chance to be the solution to a traveler’s need, diminishing their visibility and relevance in the highly competitive travel landscape.

Real-time Engagement and Lost Opportunities

The real-time nature of HousMthr’s platform allows for immediate engagement with travelers, turning every moment of change into an opportunity for service providers. Whether it's offering a last-minute deal on an experience, suggesting a nearby restaurant as plans change, or providing information on a sudden cultural event, these moments of engagement deepen the traveler's connection to the brand, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. In contrast, companies not connected to this ecosystem are left out of these dynamic, on-the-fly interactions, forfeiting numerous opportunities to reach guests when they are most receptive.

The Strategic Advantage of HousMthr’s Ecosystem

Joining HousMthr's ecosystem offers a strategic advantage to travel companies by enabling them to be part of a larger, interconnected travel experience. This not only expands their reach but also allows for the leveraging of data and insights to tailor offerings more precisely to the needs and preferences of travelers. The platform's AI-driven analytics can identify trends and preferences, enabling service providers to anticipate needs and offer solutions before the traveler even recognizes the requirement themselves. This proactive approach to guest engagement signifies a paradigm shift in how travel experiences are curated and delivered.

Conclusion

The integration of travel services into HousMthr's dynamic ecosystem represents a forward-thinking approach to on-trip execution, where every change or decision by a traveler is seen as an opportunity for engagement. For travel companies, the decision to connect with this platform is not just about accessing a new channel for customer interaction; it's about embracing a new philosophy of travel service delivery that is responsive, personalized, and seamlessly integrated into the traveler's journey. By not participating in HousMthr's ecosystem, companies risk missing out on countless opportunities to connect with guests in real-time, ultimately forgoing the chance to enhance their brand presence and relevance in the evolving travel landscape.