The future of the automotive industry will have autonomous vehicles as its main disruptive factor, whose ramifications are extremely difficult to contemplate, but promises to lead to the end and/or reinvention of many activities, affecting the way we live, work and travel.
A study now published by the Annals of Tourism Research looks down and imagines the scenario for the future of urban tourism with the emergence of this disruptive technology that is autonomous vehicles. In other words, what impact and the new socio-economic opportunities that autonomous vehicles will have on urban tourism, whether in transport, space, employment or in the economy of the night visitor.
Mobile brothel?
The impact promises to be profound. Scott Cohen, study leader and research director at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey, England, talks about how autonomous cars could be designed for specific purposes, rolling capsules for activities such as eating, sleeping, sleeping and even for sex, ie a mobile mini-brothel?Scott Cohen, research director, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of SurreySex is a part of urban tourism (…), so it is quite likely that autonomous vehicles can lead to prostitution, whether legal or illegal, taking place in autonomous cars, when in motion, in the future.
The intricate relationship between sex and technology is nothing new — the sex industry has been at the forefront in adopting the latest technologies — so the advent of autonomous vehicles will be another business opportunity. A somewhat distant scenario, with Scott Cohen indicating that “sex tourism on wheels” should be a post-2040 reality.
Rolling beds and dining rooms
Sex tourism is just one of the points addressed in the study, which does not address issues such as safety associated with this activity. “Hotels will be affected in the future, particularly roadside motels,” says Scott, as people, not having to drive, can simply sleep while staying on the road.
For the same reason, people, or better, future tourists, can choose to choose a more accessible hotel outside the city center, as the autonomous vehicle will guarantee the arrival at the desired destination.
The biggest concern continues to be the job offer, with autonomous vehicles being expected to replace people in areas such as public transport and even tourist tours on buses. Even the restaurants don't seem to be safe, in case some of these autonomous vehicles are designed as places for meals, being part of excursions in that sense.
As we mentioned initially, this study imagines a future scenario, trying to understand the scope of the possibilities that autonomous vehicles have in their relationship with urban tourism. But is it really like that? The study, in English, addresses more questions and deserves a thorough reading.
Source: NBC News and Annals of Tourism Research