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A Look at the Convergence of Big Data and Travel – ReadWrite

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Frank Landman


While the travel and tourism industry has taken quite a gut punch over the past year, there’s hope that things will soon return to normal. And when they do, we’ll get a better taste of the impact big data is having in this space.

What is Big Data?

For 20 years, big data has been widely defined as data that “contains greater variety arriving in increasing volumes with ever-higher velocity.”

“Put simply, big data is larger, more complex data sets, especially from new data sources,” Oracle explains. “These data sets are so voluminous that traditional data processing software just can’t manage them. But these massive volumes of data can be used to address business problems you wouldn’t have been able to tackle before.”

The best way to understand big data is by exploring the “three Vs” mentioned above:

  • Volume. The power of big data lies (at least partially) in the amount of data that’s produced and processed. Not every data point is useful or necessary, but it’s the casting of a wide net that creates powerful opportunities and insights.
  • Velocity. This refers to the speed at which data is received and acted on. High velocity works in tandem with high volume. (If speeds were slow, the volume would bog down the systems and create costly inefficiencies.)
  • Variety. Finally, variety refers to the different types of structured data that exist. This might include text, video, audio, or location-based data.

The tentacles of big data touch every area of our lives. But while we often discuss its impact on science, software, or IT, we rarely dig into the impact it has on fields like travel and tourism. The more we lean into this relationship, the better we’ll understand where the industry is going.

How Big Data is Impacting the Travel Industry

Big data isn’t something most people spend a lot of time thinking about – particularly in the travel and tourism space – but it plays a key role behind the scenes. Here are a few specific ways it’s having an impact:

1. Personalization

The travel and tourism industry is more competitive than it’s ever been. The sheer number of businesses operating within individual niches of the travel industry is mind-boggling. Whether you run a hotel, resort, cruise line, airline, or other tourism business, you can’t expect to stand out without a strategy. And one of the best strategies involves personalization.

Thanks to big data, businesses are able to collect, organize, and leverage thousands of data points on customers to identify and meet the unique needs of their audiences. Whereas businesses were once restricted to targeting very broad groups, big data makes it possible to zero in on very specific subgroups and niches. This leads to hyper-focused messaging, more relevant offers, and improved customer experience.

2. Differentiation

Another related point of emphasis is how big data – and particularly the analysis of the data – empowers these businesses to understand why their customers make the decisions they do. In other words, it helps answer questions like, why did they choose us over the competition? In crowded markets, the answer to this question can create much-needed clarity and serve as the basis for marketing, advertising, and even content strategy.

In a post-COVID world, unique differentiation will prove to be a marker of success for businesses that survive and thrive. Traveler expectations are higher than they’ve ever been, and it’s the businesses that provide clarity and reassurance that will win customers.

3. Security and Vetting

Border security, as it relates to international travel and tourism, has always been an important issue. But it’s become even more critical as it relates to COVID and related health concerns.

For years, developed countries have relied on big data to fuel their border control and immigration systems. Canada, for example, uses an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system that requires travelers to register for entry. This allows the country to collect data on visitors, identify potential threats, and understand when and where people are entering. Most other countries have a similar system in place.

In the coming years, it’s possible that big data will lead to major advances in “Smart Borders” – border security systems that are designed to create safe and cost-effective geographical demarcations that prioritize the safety and well-being of both nationals and travelers.

Smart borders, which rely on a steady influx of big data, allow countries to (1) employ risk-based decision making, (2) enhance standardization through the normalization of data requirements and international partnerships with other nations, (3) improve cost-savings for governments by diminishing the need for resources at the border, and (4) welcome new innovation into this part of the travel ecosystem.

4. Real-Time Travel Assistance

So much of the growth of big data is powered by the evolution of the smartphone. With 81 percent of Americans now owning a smartphone (up from just 35 percent in 2011), nearly every traveler is a walking data point. And while we can talk all about the security concerns of constantly giving out personal information, one of the benefits of this around-the-clock connectivity is the opportunity for real-time travel assistance.

Mobile apps are popular among most travel and tourism companies (including hotels, airlines, tour companies, travel planners, etc.). And many of these apps are able to use location data to make tailored recommendations to travelers. For example, an app notices that a traveler is staying in a hotel that’s located near a popular attraction. A push notification is then sent to the user’s phone for a 20 percent discount on the price of admission. Or, the app – which has been given access to the user’s contact information – sends out an email newsletter with top travel tips for the area.

Some people might find notifications like these to be annoying, but others find them helpful. Companies will have to find the balance between intrusive and helpful. Once they do, the sky becomes the limit.

5. Revenue Management

As much as they may enjoy helping people, every business in the travel and tourism industry has one major goal: drive revenue and maximize profitability. Big data can help in both of these areas.

Take hotels as an example. Hotel managers can use big data to improve revenue management. In particular, they rely on internal data relating to historical occupancy rates, average revenue per room, and guest information (location, return stay frequency, etc.). They can then contrast that internal data with external signals, such as time of year, holidays, and market rates for other nearby hotels. This leads to dynamic pricing strategies that are better able to maximize revenue and drive optimum profitability.

On a related note, big data can also help project demand. This allows hotels, resorts, and even tourist sites to more accurately staff their businesses so that they’re prepared but not over-staffed.

6. Reputation Management

Revenue management is difficult without a proper reputation management strategy. In today’s internet-connected, social media-driven marketplace, you must have a strong reputation to be competitive within your niche. Big data makes it possible for a business to accurately manage its reputation in positive and productive ways.

Take social listening tools as an example. With the right social listening software, businesses can automatically and intuitively listen to what customers (and target customers) are saying on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. These systems rely on keyword data and sentiment (which can be detected via advanced algorithms) to judge how the marketplace feels about a brand and/or the larger industry. And because this happens in real-time, it’s possible for businesses to then respond with more strategic content and advertising.

7. Market Research

As always, market research plays a catalytic role in business growth. And while most businesses are focused on collecting data for the purposes of understanding their own businesses and customers, there’s something to be said for leveraging big data to study the competition and gather valuable market research on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This often leads to better innovation and more strategic partnerships.

Adding it All Up

Big data is having a noticeable impact on industries far and wide. From product development and predictive maintenance to machine learning and operational efficiency, it’s making its presence known.

From industries like software and IT to ecommerce and tourism, big data is truly living up to its name. And the more we understand what it is and how it’s influencing the world around us, the more opportunities we can leverage in the coming years.

Frank Landman

Frank is a freelance journalist who has worked in various editorial capacities for over 10 years. He covers trends in technology as they relate to business.

Politics

Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

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Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

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Politics

Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

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Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

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Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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