4 Ways Technology Impacts Tourism and Travelling in Nigeria.

Today, technology affects every aspect of life, including travels and tourism. With the introduction of the Android phones and mobile network upgrades from 3G to 4G, and possibly now 5G, the tourism scene in Nigeria is being impacted.

1. Improve Our Travel Options

Before, we would have to go to a physical location to book a flight, hotel room or make reservations in advance. But these days we can do that from the comfort of our homes. We can even compare prices and book holiday tour packages via the internet with websites like Wakanow, Travelstart Ng, Booking.com, etc. Plus, we now have access to a range of hotel options with pictures and where their property is located, a list of their services and prices. We can also choose the bus seat and time of travel from road transport companies through their website e.g. God Is Good Motors or Chisco Transport. We can use some travel Apps on our mobile devices to make travel easier like Google Maps, abokiFX, Oanda currency calculator, Uber/Taxify, etc.

2. Keep Communication Lines Open

In the 80s and 90s, we needed landlines and telephone operators to keep in touch. But these days, we have mobile phones that allow us to receive calls wherever we are with no need for a phone booth or having to run back home. We also have Messaging Apps like Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp; Video calls Apps like Skype or Facetime. And Social Media Apps to share picture updates to friends and family on your travel progress like Instagram, Facebook, etc. So Communications are no longer just audio, they can be visual and real time too. 

3. Have Easier And Secure Payment Options

Nowadays, we don’t have to travel around with bulk money in our pockets, wallets or suitcases. Just a few bank-cards like a credit or debit card and we are ‘good to go’ if the recipient has a POS or there is access to an ATM for a quick withdrawal. Banks also have mobile Banking Apps and AI like Leo who can help manage money transfers without the need to set foot in a banking hall. If the move towards a cashless society had panned out, we would have electronic payment systems that use Apps like Google wallet, Bitcoin payment, Samsung pay, etc.

4. Create More Personalised Travel Experiences

We capture memories with selfie sticks and our high-resolution Smartphones if we can’t afford a DSLR camera. Thereby allowing us to document our travel experience.  We can also now catch up with News or Entertainment on the go as most TV stations now have Apps with streaming services like Kwese TV, Channels TV, DSTV Now, etc. For now, we are yet to use Augmented Reality to sell tour destinations so people can get a feel of experience they are buying into. Or use translator Apps like iTranslate to break language barrier in certain parts of Nigeria (since we are a country with over 250 languages).

There are so many amazing technologies out there that are yet to be implemented in Nigeria. But as we catch up with the new technological advancements, we will continue to feel it impacts in our national Tourism sector. 

Featured image source: Substantia Mea

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ann

Ann Esievoadje is a freelance writer who is passionate about encouraging a reading culture and personal development. She has authored two books, The Quilt (fiction) and Being Mummy and Me (non-fiction). She manages Pulchra Publishing which offers a content creation/editing, transcription, different forms of writing (including Ghostwriting) service and her blog, Life Love and Anything Goes at annesievoadje.blogspot.com.ng. You can reach her at annesievoadje@gmail.com

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