What the Future of Travel Could Look Like by Year 2030

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Last summer, I stumbled upon a vintage shop while strolling the streets of Trieste, Italy. I love the smell of old books and must have instinctively followed my senses there. Just outside the shop door, I found a bookshelf packed full of yellow, tattered magazines.

When I looked closer, I realized they were old copies of National Geographic Magazines from the 1930’s and 1940’s. As I scoured the pages, I became captivated by the fantasy-like depiction of travel. The pages were full of hand drawn illustrations of far away lands- only reachable by steamer, train or car.

How strange it was to not see airlines. No credit card advertisements. Only black and white photos.

Nearly 100 years later and travel looks a lot different. I’m able to live stream my travel experiences from a touchscreen phone, where people can watch in real time as if through my own eyes. I’m able to video chat with friends and family from anywhere in the world.

I’m able to get on a plane in Los Angeles and travel to London, 5,437 air miles away, in less than 12 hours. At the beginning of commercial travel in the 1930’s, Imperial Air’s service for the rich and famous could get passengers from England to India… in just six days.

With so many advancements in technology, what does the future hold for travel experiences?

A new survey released by Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase asked Americans to imagine the near future and predict what the future of travel could look like by year 2030. From unique travel experiences to putting the real in virtual reality, the top predictions reveal some surprises:

1. Hologram Personal Trainers: 37% of travelers think a hologram of a personal trainer will help them get their exercise.
2. Digital Passports and Face Recognition: Some 58% of travelers surveyed believe passports could become available for digital devices and 50% believe human face recognition technology could replace passports altogether.
3. Underwater Hotels: Among travel experiences of the future, 40% think underwater hotels might become more of a reality in the next 15 years.
4. Space Travel: 35% of those surveyed believe it’s a possibility to travel to a destination in space–with men more likely to make this prediction than women (40% vs. 29%).
5. Eco-Travel Destinations: 71% of travelers agree that Americans will choose “Eco-Travel” destinations for vacations.
6. 24/7 Virtual Hotel Concierge: 61% of travelers believe it’s possible that hotels in the future will cater to their guests through 24/7 virtual concierge services.
7. Digital Payments: 58% of all Americans predict smart watches and other mobile payment options will rise in popularity for travelers.
8. Personalized Mobile Travel Guides: 47% of all travelers believe personalized mobile travel guides will become available in the future.
9. Extreme Hotel Experiences: 51% believe extreme hotel experiences, such as a private hut over the ocean or taking a zip line to your treehouse will be possible.
10. Transatlantic Trains and Flying Cars: Travelers are skeptical that transatlantic trains (26%) and flying cars (24%) will become travel options by 2030.

So many of these predictions are already a reality of the present. I recently got Global Entry and can now re-enter the country without having to go through customs, all by scanning my fingerprints at a small kiosk. And, of course, I’m a big believer of mobile travel guides / travel blogs!

I think what’s most exciting about these findings is the amount of people (71%!!!) that would choose eco-travel! Talk about conscious travelers paving way for the future of travel!

It goes without saying that the future holds new advancements in both the ease of travel and the cost of travel. After browsing those old National Geographic Magazines from the 1930’s, it’s clear that travel has become much more affordable and accessible.

And, with the help of travel rewards credit cards, the cost of travel can be even lower and sometimes free!

One of the best rewards credit cards out there is the Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase. You earn Marriott Rewards points on all purchases (even your normal spending like grocery shopping and gas) and can redeem them for free hotel stays, airfare and even travel packages.

Visit Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase to learn more and start earning points towards your next trip!

What does the future of travel look like to you?

What the Future of Travel Could Look Like by Year 2030 is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

from The Blonde Abroad http://ift.tt/1LrK40R