The 21st-century consumer is very different from previous generations. Creativity and innovation can be found everywhere and why should the travel and hospital industry fall behind in innovating. It will always seek the attention of people. Creativity will attract clients and innovation will satisfy them. These are two aspects which are making early inroads for travel start-ups.

Although the travel industry is booming, with over 1.1 billion international travellers in 2014. So how can the travel industry make the experience more creative and innovative? Some factors are beyond the control of the industry, such as the weather, but like most other industries, there is room for innovation.

To share or not to share: The most obvious change in the last few years in hospitality is the sharing economy. The face of this movement is Airbnb, which is now valued at $25 billion, but there are many other companies that are playing the game, such as Couchsurfing, Feastly, Knok, Vayable or even Wimdu. While there are some regulatory issues around this new consumer model, it is providing accommodation to travellers who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Keep track of your bag: Everyone’s biggest concern when they travel is losing their luggage. But not anymore. While airports like Las Vegas’ McCarran Terminal 3 are starting to attach a radio frequency identification chip to suitcases to ensure they don’t get lost, Bluesmart has created a carry on suitcase which can be controlled and tracked using an app on your phone.

Let’s stay connected: We live in a hyper-connected world, where in-flight Wi-Fi was bound to happen – and it did. Although a number of airlines offer internet to passengers, it is not a perfect science and it is most definitely not free. But we have a choice which we didn’t have a few years ago. Airlines are also adding power outlets so that passengers can charge their devices throughout their flights and not arrive at their destination with a “dead” phone.

Do it yourself:  With the available technology, Anyone will able to book a flight online, have a boarding pass on phone, check in with machines, go through automated clearance gates and even validate boarding pass to board the plane. These innovations have made navigating airports much more efficient.

Guiding your experience: Guidebooks like Lonely Planet used to be the traveller’s bible – but have now become irrelevant in a world of websites and crowdsourcing sites which provide us with advice and reviews on hotels, tours, and restaurants. Traditional online Travel Agencies like Expedia and Priceline have provided alternatives. Peek puts a tour guide in your phone, while HotelTonight is a last minute hotel booking tool. Other players are also thinking differently about the issue, such as AnyRoad, which helps us connect to incredible guides and avoid travel agencies.