2015 saw more people than ever spreading their wings and travelling to new destinations, and, even though there were quite a few unfortunate events that occurred around the world, it was still, overall, a great year for the travel industry. From the biggest industry game-changers to the hottest emerging destinations of the year, here is OROGOLD’s travel review of 2015.

Passport Changes
Towards the end of 2015, several countries began to make a few changes in regards to passports. The Australian government announced that they would be trialling a new electronic cloud-based passport, doing away with the need for physical passports completely. Technology has also played a part in US-based passport innovations, with a new app called Mobile Passport enabling passengers to store their passports and travel details on their phones and other devices. The app has been proving successful, and will soon be introduced at many more American airports, something that OROGOLD is definitely excited about. Another major passport change that occurred at many countries around the world was the ability to be able to tick an ‘Other’ box when it comes to stating your gender, which was a change highly appreciated by a large number of people.

Do It Yourself
Advancements in technology have had a huge impact on travel in 2015, and the concept of being able to use this technology to make your journey more efficient and convenient has really caught on. From booking your flight online, downloading your boarding pass to your phone and checking in at the airport through a machine, the whole airport experience has become much more seamless. Hotels are also catching on to the trend, with the Mar Adentro Hotel in Mexico offering guests a high-tech ‘menu’ for them to customize their room, controlling everything from lighting concepts to room service. The Four Seasons has also launched a mobile app that enables guests to order anything they need from their phones, whether it be a midnight snack or an extra toothbrush.

Airline Innovations
Airlines are constantly facing stiff competition, leading to new and exciting innovations as they each try their hardest to stay ahead of the curve. Onboard technology has seen some huge advancements, from WiFi being introduced across a larger number of airlines to the new entertainment system launched by Virgin America that is partnered with Netflix, Spotify and the New York Times, for some of the best in-flight entertainment around. Other airline innovations of 2015 include quieter cabins, wider seats, personal power outlets and a bigger emphasis placed on high-quality service and the customer experience. 2015 also saw airlines experimenting more with ticket prices, as they tested out ‘un-bundling’ their fares to offer lower prices to those who weren’t going to be checking in baggage or making use of other airline facilities.

2015 has been an exciting year when it comes to travel, and innovations in technology have played a significant role in this. From travelling around the world without the need for a passport to being able to control your entire journey from your smartphone, OROGOLD believes that each of these travel aspects are going to become much more mainstream in 2016.