How AI English Language Training Tools can be Leveraged Ahead of the Summer Travel Surge

AI English Language Training Tools are transforming businesses around the world. Following the easing of travel restrictions across the world, the travel and hospitality sectors are preparing for a dramatic rise in customers, with the added pressure of upcoming holiday periods compounding this. As widespread delays and cancellations look likely, airlines in particular are looking for more ways to ensure that the customer experience is prioritized wherever possible.

Could Instances of NLP Bias Derail AI?

The pandemic forced many travel operators to review and streamline operational budgets to ensure survival. This resulted in colossal job losses, it was estimated that the global travel and tourism market lost roughly 62 million jobs in 2020, as well as major reductions to the resources assigned to the training of customer-facing staff, subsequently leading to an industry-wide skills shortage. Good communication skills for staff working in customer-facing roles is essential as a lack of language proficiency skills in a global working environment can lead to ineffective productivity and poor customer service. 

In the aviation industry alone, cancellation rates are six times higher post pandemic and when the customer and demands more, communicating with the consumer customer directly can temper frustrations, leading to a better travel experience. Travel and hospitality companies that prioritize and accelerate communication skills training can build customer loyalty and remain competitive against other industry leaders.  

In the world of hospitality and travel, having a main language which is spoken between employees and to customers, at a high proficiency level, is essential for effective communication. Sharing a common language in a professional environment can help consumers feel heard and understood. English language proficiency is no longer just a ‘nice-to-have’ requirement in the sector. A study conducted by the Aeronautical University on English language and Aviation Safety confirmed that pilots and air traffic controllers felt the current English language training programs were unsatisfactory, and the reduction in training due to the pandemic will have impacted this further.

Why You should Invest in  AI English Language Training Tools

Traditional communication training for staff in the travel and hospitality sectors, which previously required in-person sessions, has proved to be expensive and impractical, especially because of employees’ tight schedules and staff operating in different time-zones. The introduction of AI app-based training alternatives can provide solutions to these key problems, allowing employees to learn “on-the-fly” whenever they can.

In addition to providing employees with greater flexibility within their language learning programs, digital training alternatives can offer higher levels of personalization for both task assignment and user feedback. This bespoke approach to staff development is hard to replicate in traditional large in-person sessions. As all tasks are assigned and completed digitally, these training solutions can allow management teams to track both individual user progression and department-wide training performance.

The travel and hospitality industry, is diverse in its nature, accommodating employees and guests with different levels of English language skill. English language proficiency is essential for effective communication and a better guest experience, creating long term profitability in a sector that was hit hardest during the pandemic. English language training solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence stand out from the crowd. This technology has the potential to constantly advance and improve over time, powered by its own community of learners. Ed-tech learning tools which incorporate future-proofed AI technology will allow providers to confidently invest in training, improve staff engagement levels and deliver best-in-class experiences to their customers. 

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