Trip.com Group presented its new vision focused on artificial intelligence and sustainability at the Envision 2025 conference. At the event, which was also attended by Prince Harry, the future of tourism was redefined in terms of technology and social responsibility.

 Trip.com Group's global conference Envision 2025, held in Shanghai, hosted important messages about the future of the industry. Duke of Sussex Prince Harry, who attended the event as a surprise guest, emphasized how travel can be a transformative force for sustainability. Speaking as the founder of the Travalyst initiative, Prince Harry stated that tourism should strike a balance between growth targets and environmental and social sustainability, saying, "Every flight, every full hotel can be either an opportunity or a threat."

Reminding that the number of international tourists reached 1.4 billion in 2024 with an 11% increase, Prince Harry said that the Asia-Pacific region has the power to lead sustainable tourism with a potential of 490 billion dollars. However, he underlined that the increasing interest in sustainable options has not yet turned into concrete action: "We must turn intentions into action and adopt a tourism approach that protects cultures, not consumes them."

3 Trends That Will Shape the Sector

Trip.com Group CEO Jane Sun, in her speech, said that "tourism has not only returned, it has leaped forward," stating that the global travel industry exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and contributed 10% to the world's GDP. In 2024, the Group created an economic value of $170 billion for its partners; Chinese outbound travel increased by 120% compared to 2019.

Sun pointed out three key trends rising in the sector:

1. Event+Travel: Concerts, sports, and cultural events trigger travel demand.

2. Silver Travelers: The over-60s demographic offers significant potential, especially in the low season.

3. Rising Markets: New destinations such as Tunis, Oslo, and Cape Town are reshaping the global route map.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Travel Ecosystem

Trip.com puts artificial intelligence at the center of innovation. The company's virtual assistant TripGenie is known for its personalized travel planning and instant translation features. However, this is just the visible face of a comprehensive ecosystem called "Travel Platform 3.0". The Group increased booking conversion rates by 30% and reduced operational costs by 60% by integrating artificial intelligence into every stage of the customer journey.

One of the most notable projects was Driver by the Platform, launched in 2023. Today, 140,000 drivers are registered, 20,000 of whom are active. This initiative both provides personalized transportation services and creates training and employment opportunities for 2,000 young people every year with TripTravel Academy.

Trip.com also promotes train journeys as an alternative to flights; train solutions on the platform have been increased by 1000%. Sustainable products such as electric vehicles and eco-friendly hotels are showing rapid growth, especially in corporate travel.

Big Plans for Europe

Europe also plays a key role in Trip.com Group's global growth target. EMEA Regional Director Andy Washington stated that their progress in the European market is continuing steadily, saying, "Thanks to artificial intelligence, OTAs are no longer just booking engines, but also personal travel advisors. We want to be not only the biggest, but the best."

Trip.com's goal for Europe is to offer a holistic travel platform that includes restaurants, shopping, and experiences, just like in Asia. Washington emphasized this transformation by saying, "We will progress to this point step by step in Europe. Previously, tour operators offered options and customers chose. OTAs offered a showcase, but now, with artificial intelligence, we anticipate what the customer wants and we offer the solution."

Evaluation

In this period, which Trip.com Group defines as "a new era in travel", technology and responsibility go hand in hand. Sustainable tourism, artificial intelligence integration, and a user-oriented approach reinforce the Group's goal of not only being a market leader but also a pioneer of sectoral transformation.

Source: L'Agenzia di Viaggi Magazine

Photo: Yahoo