Varun Chadha, CEO, TIRUN Travel Marketing- exclusive India representative for Royal Caribbean International
With technologies such as GPS tracking, IoT-enabled sensors and AI-driven management systems, digitalisation is paving the way for a smarter and more connected transport ecosystem in India. The sector is rapidly adopting these new-age technologies to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability. Modern solutions streamline daily operations, improve energy efficiency and passenger experience, enable real-time updates, provide personalised services and optimise revenues. Notable efforts include the introduction of mobile apps for booking and tracking, online payment systems and tools for multi-modal operation. However, challenges such as high initial costs, system integration issues and low passenger adoption persist. To address these, organisations are focusing on phased deployment, robust cybersecurity measures and workforce training programmes. Looking ahead, the focus will likely remain on further integrating multi-modal transport, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring data security. Industry leaders share their views on the digital solutions being deployed by their organisations, the major roadblocks they face and their digital roadmaps for the future…
How are telecom and communication technologies shaping the transportation sector, both in terms of operations and passenger experience?
Telecom and communication technologies are truly transforming the way we travel. With tighter integrations across networks, we are seeing innovations such as smarter chatbots that can offer highly personalised and accurate responses. This makes interactions with customers smoother and more meaningful. From a passenger’s perspective, it is all about convenience. By providing real-time updates and tailored recommendations, these technologies are making vacation planning more enjoyable and stress-free.
What are the key digital solutions being deployed by your organisation? What have been the key benefits?
At our organisation, it is all about creating seamless connections. We are heavily investing in integration, bringing together customer-facing platforms and internal business tools to work in harmony. By incorporating conversational tools, we are driving transformation on both sides. For the business, real-time reporting is a game changer, providing quicker insights and enabling smarter decision-making. For customers, it means more relevant and engaging interactions, making them feel valued at every step of the way.
What are the key challenges in technology deployment?
Speed is the biggest hurdle. Rolling out new technology solutions quickly and consistently across all our channels is easier said than done. Each platform — whether it is a website, app or internal system — has its own requirements, and ensuring everything works seamlessly takes time. On top of that, catering to a global audience is another challenge, with many moving parts to manage.
Going forward, what is the digital roadmap for your organisation?
Our focus is simple – keep the customer engaged digitally. We are working hard to build tools that encourage guests not only to book online but also stay connected throughout their journey. For example, pre-vacation interactions, such as choosing excursions or managing preferences online, help us enhance their experience from the beginning. As per data, guests who engage digitally before their trips tend to have a much better overall vacation. So, it is all about creating those tools that make the journey as convenient and enjoyable as possible.
