Jet set travel, the wireless way

So much so, now technology walks with us like our Phantom mate, shadowing us wherever we set foot, smoothening the trials and travails of intercontinental travel. It is largely a smooth affair now, having shed, to quite an extent, the hassle of ticketing and finding hotels. Graduating from smoothening information flows in the first half of the last century, processes have moved towards the wonders of wireless technology.

Today, its ubiquitous presence is everywhere, from the moment we book our tickets to the time we return safely home. Wireless technology came to airline reservation systems (ARS) in the 1950s. As travel agencies increasingly entered the scene, just two decades later, the ARS of all the major airlines were interlinked to become a computer reservation system (CRS).

The new system offers a choice of fares and deals from different airlines, looking at just one computer screen. The system also places this very useful reservations technology for all airlines on a travel agent’s desk, eliminating the need for it to call the airline to make reservations.

Today, it is the global distribution system (GDS), an advanced version of the CRS that plays a big role in facilitating our travel. From offering a range of specialised services, including checking real-time flight schedules, seat availability and pricing information, it makes bookings and issues tickets. GDS also accepts special meal requests, manages seat allocation and performs back-office accounting functions for travel agents.

There are today, several GDS operators world-wide, working with airlines, cruise operators, hotels, railway companies and car rental companies. Internet too has equipped travellers with ready and instant information. The concept of electronic access to information and bookings is very cost effective and efficient and available 24 hours a day. Apart from being very flexible for business travel inclusive of airlines, hotels and surface transport, there are customised holiday packages available with a range of travel sites today. Customers can take virtual tours of restaurants, rooms, convention and conference facilities and so on by surfing various websites.

Satellite technology has arrived. We no longer need to wait for our tickets to be delivered at our doorsteps if we don’t want to and can choose the electronic option instead. Used in synchrony with a personal travel card known as the smart card, it is set to revolutionise the way in which we travel. Airlines, hotels and rail companies across the world are already coming up with a variety of competitive service like frequent flyers, repeat hotel guests, and regular rail passenger offers to cater to these new electronic road warriors.

The road ahead is a fast and technologically exciting one. For explorer Sir Richard Burton, it was probably the challenge and excitement of exploration and discovery in a physical sense. And as for Paspartout, going round the world is a far cry from his 80-day odyssey now. And the international dateline has never been the same since his day. The fact is, for the 21st century traveller, travelling may well be a voyage limited only by his or her ability to choose between the many options.

writer is general manager of a travel and technology distribution firm Galileo India Private Limited.