cannes_2024_TUESDAY_ISSUE

“The future of retail and travel revolves around creating exceptional experiences” Yesterday’s TFWA World Conference welcomed Anousheh Ansari, NASA astronaut, the first female private space explorer and CEO of XPrize Foundation, who shared illuminating insights into the future of business and travel. T he recent years have witnessed remarkable advancements in the business world, driven by new technologies, ambitious goals, and a new generation’s quest for unique experiences. What does the future of travel hold in this new era of conducting business? What can the duty free and travel retail industry anticipate and how can we tackle the challenges ahead? To provide insight into the future of business and travel, the closing session of yesterday’s TFWA World Conference featured Anousheh Ansari, NASA astronaut, the first female private space explorer and CEO of XPrize Foundation. Ansari also delved into strategies for companies to embrace a mindset of exploration and bold innovation, essential for thriving in a constantly changing arena. “The future of retail and travel revolves around creating exceptional experiences,” said Ansari. “My key message is to focus on expanding our imagination to craft unique, awe-inspiring encounters that evoke powerful emotions and lead to unforgettable memories.” She emphasised the importance of innovation, personalisation, and immersive technologies in engaging today’s discerning travellers and fostering lasting brand loyalty. “The future of travel in the business world will be shaped by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences,” Ansari explained. “To succeed, businesses must adopt a holistic approach that combines innovative technologies to create personalised experiences for modern travellers. As a business owner, knowledge of current technological capabilities and their potential evolution over the next 3-5 years is critical. Equally important is the creation of ecosystems and partnerships that can help the business stay ahead of the technology curve.” Deploying new tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) companions can assist in better understanding different audiences and quickly brainstorming and testing various engagement strategies. “The future of travel will focus on personalised, technology-driven Anousheh Ansari, NASA astronaut, the first female private space explorer and CEO of XPrize Foundation: “The future of travel in the business world will be shaped by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. To succeed, businesses must adopt a holistic approach that combines innovative technologies to create personalised experiences for modern travellers.” Tuesday 1 Oc tobe r 2024 10 T F W A D A I L Y