In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda take you deep into the hidden world of travel technology and how it’s quietly reshaping your choices, your experiences, and even your privacy.

From AI-powered airline pricing and biometric surveillance at borders, to ChatGPT-planned vacations and Instagram-driven destinations, this conversation explores how tech is not just assisting our travel - it's deciding it for us.

We discuss:

📉 Is travel becoming too algorithmic?

🛂 Are your movements being tracked and shared across borders?

🏠 Has Airbnb helped gentrify entire neighborhoods?

🤖 And what happens when your cruise dinner seating is decided by AI?

🕒 Chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Technology and Travel

04:01 The Evolution of Travel Planning with Technology

09:19 Consumer Rights and Data Privacy in Travel

14:03 Geopolitical Implications of Travel and Technology

18:13 The Digital Influence on Travel Planning

22:39 Revenge Tourism Post-COVID

29:34 AI and Ethical Concerns in Travel Pricing

🔗 Connect with the Hosts:

• Aparna Bhushan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/

• Harinda Katugaha — https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak

• Full transcript, sources & bonus clips → https://rethinktech.substack.com/

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💭 Drop your thoughts below

Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional vacationer, this episode will make you rethink how much control you really have over your journey.