LONDON – Visitors to WTM 2014 will be able to find out more about how ‘wearable’ technology can be used by travel companies to sell holidays in the future.

Global travel technology company Sabre, will demonstrate some of the travel-related wearable apps they are experimenting with, including apps for Google Glass (smart glasses) and smart watches throughout WTM week (November 3-6).

Recent forecasts are that almost 500 million wearables will be worn annually by 2018, although this could be a very conservative estimate.

Whatever the numbers, a large proportion of the population will embrace wearable computing in the near future, and that will have a dramatic impact on how we shop and buy travel.

Visitors can glimpse into the future of wearables when they visit the Travel Technology Theatre at WTM, where Sabre will be demonstrating some of these new technologies on stand TT235.

Joakim Everstin, Head of Innovation at Sabre Travel Network, Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “In technology, there’s always something new and exciting vying for attention. Many come and go but every now and then, something like ‘wearable technology’ comes along and inspires new thinking across almost every industry.  We’re just beginning to understand its potential, and how it can be used to enrich a traveller’s journey and improve how travel companies operate their business.”

World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press said: “For a long time, these ‘wearable’ technologies have only been seen as science fiction. But wearable devices are now on the market – and their influence is expected to be huge within the next few years.

“With wearables, we’re looking at fashion accessories that are powerful mini-computers, which offer immense opportunities for the travel industry.”