21 Century Travel using Websites, Mobile and Wearable Technology Devices

This paper begins with an account of how travel has changed primarily between the 20th and 21st century from the dominant role that travel agents played in the past to the travel functions that mobile and wearable technology devices perform in this century. It also discusses the many technological changes that prepared the path for mobile and wearable technology devices, and concludes with examples of how wearables and augmented reality experiences are being used by travel organizations and museums. Wearable computing is a natural evolution of the smartphone technology that has become so prevalent and indispensable. Samsung’s Galaxy Gear, Apple’s Watch, Microsoft’s HoloLens, Epson’s Moverio and others will vie for market share in the wearable technology space. Wearable tech devices have the power to transform the management of destination attractions in terms of information provision and the experience of a venue or destination. Examples of this are provided herein.