Skyscanner gets phygital

Skyscanner gets phygital
By admin


Leading global travel search site Skyscanner predicts a new kind of airport is well on its way to becoming reality. Picture an airport where the walls around you are interactive and you would rather shop then stay put in the lounge.

According to Skyscanner’s Future of Travel report  by 2024 shopping and eating experiences will be transformed by the convergence of a new format of transit retail called ‘transtailing’. This will be used in conjunction with a mixture of physical and digital retail techniques called ‘phygital’. 

Tesco’s virtual grocery walls, first tested in subway stations and bus stations in South Korea before being introduced at Gatwick airport, have inspired retailers at India’s New Delhi airport to follow suit. Here, shoppers can use their smartphones to scan QR codes to purchase luxury goods. Similar initiatives are being tested in Frankfurt, and in domestic departure lounges in many of China’s second-tier city airports and terminals.

The report further declared that phygital transtailing will become a reality through the use of haptic technology-which provides people with a physical sensation in response to touching their finger on the screen.

Haptic technology is already well on its way with Tokyo’s university of agriculture and technology releasing a ‘Smelling Screen’ in 2013. The TV screen emits an odour when people interact with specific areas of the screen.

By 2024, the concept of the smelling screen will have evolved so rapidly that not only will travellers be looking at a bottle of Chanel No.5 on a screen, but they will be able to physically interact with it, holding it and even touching it, whilst they can smell the exact scent of the perfume.

Skyscanner’s marketing manager for Australia and New Zealand, Dave Boyte described that The Future of Travel Report was conducted to highlight where technology meets travel. “Tomorrow’s world airports will rival traditional shopping malls and phrases like ‘phygital’ and ‘haptic’ are going to be a part of the airport retailers’ vocabulary.' Boyte said.

Elements of the future that can be found in some of the world airports today are futuristic artworks and sculptures, digital bag tags, virtual assistants or holograms, biometric scanners, green spaces in departure lounges, visual spaces at airports and personal guidance systems.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Qantas soon to open enhanced Broome Regional Lounge

Qantas customers travelling through regional Western Australia will soon enjoy an enhanced airport experience with the development of the new Broome Regional Lounge starting today. Due to open in December 2024, the new space will be double the capacity of the existing lounge following consistent strong demand from premium travellers to the area, in addition […]

  • Events

Bookings now open for Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is now taking bookings for 2026 and beyond. Currently under construction on the Geelong waterfront, the property offers 3,700 sqm of versatile event space, including a 1,000-seat theatre. Venue details, including floorplans and video flythroughs are already released on the venue website. The precinct will host a […]

  • Cruise
  • News

Australian Cruise Association confirms Board of Management with NSW Ports boss as chair

The Australian Cruise Association has confirmed its Board of Management for 2025 with Port Authority of NSW’s Philip Holliday remaining in his position as Chair for the next 12 months. He is supported on the executive committee by Brendan Connell, Port of Brisbane, deputy chair and James Coughlan, Shorex Australia as Treasurer. Kristy Little, Tasports, […]

  • Events

Business Events Victoria encourages applications for regional business events funding

Business Events Victoria is encouraging conference and event organisers to apply and make the most of all regional Victoria has to offer. The funding is part of the Regional Business Events Program, which is being delivered by Business Events Victoria in partnership with Melbourne Convention Bureau. The program supports national and international businesses to host […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Club Med offers savings on its Japan ski resorts

Club Med is offering big savings for travellers looking to book a last-minute ski holiday to Japan, with travel agents able to secure up to 20 per cent off for clients at their pristine ski resorts. Travellers can take advantage of this offer from now until 12 October for travel between 29 November 2024 and […]

  • Destinations
  • News

Travel Portland returns to ANZ with trade program

Travel Portland will be pushing an always-on trade program, re-establishing connections with key trade partners and coordinating agent famil trips as part of push around the Visit USA Expos in Australia/NZ. “We are excited to be back in the Australian market after a hiatus of several years as a result of the pandemic,” Travel Portland […]