Explore the Future of Travel

In the boardroom of NETZ, London’s premier affordable green hotel for eco-conscious travellers, there was a definite whiff of tension in the air: their satisfaction numbers were down. As silence prevailed, Mr. Carruthers ominously applied pressure to his AI handset, and the sensors to begin screening his chosen image of hope: how NETZ could use technology to enhance the door-to-door travel experience of guests. A family appeared who explored London's sustainable attractions, admiring the Thames' Glass Tunnel Tour, made possible by a cleaner river (sponsored by ThamesLite). They visited museums, enjoyed a dip at a wellness spot (thanks, Eco-Very), and experienced the Tate Modern's 24-hour exhibition. Their emissions were in check through NETZ’s driverless electric shuttle service (they didn’t need to know it the only shuttle, at this point).

By 2050, along with almost everything else, nationhood had evolved to align itself with the accelerated developments in tech. The Travel Credit System (TCS) was born, tasked with reducing pollution and overpopulation the world over. Under the newly-old regime, every individual was furnished with a fixed set of travel credits, their usage diligently monitored through a blockchain system. Corporations like Google’s Grid and Apple’s Axis evolved beyond mere giants of their industry, increasingly exercising power on par with the sovereign states of old. Unlike the rise and fall of careless monarchs, blindsided revolutionaries and greedy dictators, these entities had ultimate dominion over all societies; they were, by their very nature, deeply integrated into all aspects of everyday life. Long Live the Digital Nations.

This is the story of how George left home, for good. This is the tale of how Emily never had to back-and-forth again. Instead, they moved forward, together. Questions arise about social and political responsibilities, such as tax payments and visa requirements. The concept of "home" becomes more fluid, potentially bringing them closer to friends and family but raising complications in legal and administrative aspects. Spearheaded by travellers like Emily and George finding new ways to experience the world while maintaining their careers, blurring the lines between work and leisure, boldly throwing open the financial and psychological constraints to make travel a lifestyle choice.

The premise was a “working stay-cation" with an almost flawless success record: the platform paired home swappers with impressive accuracy based on a (somewhat rigorous, but ultimately rewarding) application process. Isabella and Ben’s mutual journey began as their staycations came to an end. Their tale wasn't just about work and vacation; it was a testament to the potential of our digital age.

Back in the Metaverse, Sally’s AIPA (Artificially Intelligent Personal Assistant – Sally calls them “Aypa”) reminds her in soothing tones that, should she miss the shuttle she’s bound for, another will be along in just thirty minutes. Every action they take on this trip is carefully and pre-emptively the result of mined data: their lodgings are secured weeks in advance; their “random” choices to stop at a local eatery forecasted to each establishment to allow for last-minute supply chain assembly. Having opted for the greenest route possible, Sally is currently on the second leg. She’s hitched a ride a short-haul electric postal hopper from New York to Canada, staying to explore the Labrador Peninsula for one week, and now waits to board a transatlantic hopper over to Greenland en route to Scotland.

When the Pacific Islands, following decades of rallied efforts between locals and international organisations slipped silently beneath the water, most saw it as the beginning of the end. Optimistic world leaders tried to put a positive spin on it: it was a collective disaster, yes, but the death toll was at zero. Revolution often occurs at the precipice of disaster. By 2050, fusion tech had plunged the energy sector into its newest age, in which energy had become limitless (and incredibly cheap). This transformative energy breakthrough was pivotal in the eradication of global poverty; the world no longer looked the same –alas– but it also functioned on a higher level. Humans naturally crave order and so two distinct classes emerged (or returned, depending on who’s asking) to cleave society neatly in half.

The Finnesons of West Loop, Chicago IL were of Scottish descent: loud and proud. They turned to Trinder, which specialised in authentic and eco-friendly heritage tours for curious Americans, to help them plan a trip to follow their anscestry. Setting up a family profile in moments, Jim leaned back –astounded– as connection after familial connection began to blossom on the screen in front of him. Thus the family's pilgrimage was planned, led by Trinder's sustainable travel ethos and suggestions, like tree-planting as a regular activity along their travels: smartly anticipating this as a perfect symbol to the Finnesons’ commitment to preserving the roots they were exploring.

Cynthia’s life operated on a higher plane, she felt, revolving (with laudable efficiency) around the digital space. Proudly tech-literate and always hungry for new hardware, sating this hunger through pursuing the newest releases of virtual reality headsets and augmented reality goggles. It was only in the deathly quiet moments: the achingly long time it took to recharge her hardware, or when a natural lull in appointments bubbled to the surface, that Cynthia’s growing unease would make itself known.

In an age of soaring carbon emissions, where the decline of the planet became increasingly prescient and then entirely unavoidable, the Drinkwater family – very keen to leave their child Teresa with a habitable world to thrive in – decided to stop their long haul travel. The Drinkwaters had made the huge mistake of using one of those footprint calculating apps that were becoming increasingly popular: the results had mortified the couple and convinced them to drastically change their approach to travel. So, they turned to Carbon Neutral Pods, which are like eco-taxis: robots drive them and they run on electricity, to explore closer to home.

The virtual realm of the Metaverse, once it was tried, tested and tweaked, invited Jet to conceptualise a digital mobility which not only seemed possible, but profitable. Aside from empowering Jet to pursue further education, their AI companion has been co-worker, problem-solver, ideas-bringer; politely inviting Jet to streamline the juggling act of supporting family, work and study. With the Metaverse providing a virtual space for education, and Jet’s digital twin facilitating hybrid working and activation models, the future of work and learning has achieved a new, egalitarian and ambition-driven reality.

In 2040, Scotland stands as a beacon of environmental transformation. Every street corner, every industry, and every individual life is calibrated to serve a greater ecological purpose. At the heart of this revolution is a sophisticated "score" system, which meticulously tracks citizens' ecological choices, rewarding or penalizing them based on their contributions to the planet. Naya is boxed in: seemingly oblivious to the societal shifts that build around her, like a construction site on overtime. She works in oil –once potentially controversial, now taboo– eats for fuel and consumes what is immediately, cheaply available. Her environmentally conscious sister Saskia is quietly disdainful of her carbon-intensive practices, like having four children.

The Mustermann family would carefully plan each expedition, prioritising accessibility with adventure as their eldest Tobias (Toby to his friends) had specific mobility requirements. They tended to opt for blended holidays: some culture, some sightseeing, and a huge dose of wilderness. Their research had unearthed an electricity-led eco-tourism initiative based out of Northern Scotland, which invited the more immersion-passionate tourist to roam, engage, explore and – key to the project– volunteer for a variety of organisations working to keep Scotland’s natural beauty in tip top condition. The family eagerly utilised the island's visitor data portal to visit attractions during the less busy times; the portal recommended the best time for the family to visit Callanish, for example, and were able to witness the sun rise over the ancient stones.

From the comfort of her living room, Fiona “stepped” onto a makeshift airstrip and took a moment to get a better look at the Solar Air –a pioneering carbon negative airline– craft, trying to puzzle out the intricacies of the green machine. In this vision of the future, carbon-negative technologies and VR experiences blur the line between travel and gaming. Fiona and her partner Gustav became stakeholders in their trip: assisting in the vital rebuilding process, with their efforts rewarded in digital currency, further fuelling the area's revitalisation.

Like clockwork, potentially sensing that the appraisals could be endless, the McDonalds’ individualised AI Assistants politely remind them that it’s time to go. Dad fudges the temple name (Wat Bowonniwet Vihara), cuing more laughter from the collective. The rain stops: is it magic, or did the Assistant use meteorological data to chivvy them at exactly the right moment? As the reunion plan began to take shape, the McDonalds had to quickly accept that they would need divine assistance in formulating a fit-for-purpose itinerary. This is where the AI Assistant –a modern marvel which all clan members had recently begun dabbling with in their separate endeavours– stepped in…

People accuse others of “living in a bubble” like it’s a bad thing. When you really get to thinking, a bubble isn’t actually all bad. In this story, transport bubbles powered by AI provide augmented reality (AR) visualisations, showcasing the rich history of the city by planting key figures and events at the sites the line passed through. On this trip, cutting edge technology could interplay with physical and emotional history, with genuine human connection underpinning the entire endeavour...

The trio gathered around the kitchen table and harangued their virtual travel assistant with ideas. Operation Bol-a-day, as it became known, churned out a series of locations, each combining exploration with contribution. In exchange for their bed and board, the family would offer their time and skills to assist with farm work, creating a meaningful connection and giving back to the local community. The family’s blended holiday showcased the power of combining work and leisure in a sustainable manner.

By her seventh winter living and working there, Janice was beginning to feel the full effects of Berlin syndrome. Recognizing the blend of work and leisure her company’s scheme offered, Janice finally seized the chance to temporarily relocate. She started strong: choosing to languish in the still sun-blessed alleys of Barcelona. Since Janice retained an impeccable track record on her global profile (a secure, digitalised repository of personal information), transactions –be it for her new accommodation or a local delicacy– were swift and secure, thanks to advancements in blockchain technology.