Tripadvisor is one of the top three overall travel brands in the world. According to a Travel Mole article, the number of reviews have gone up from 10 million in June 2007 to 15 million.

Surface, the new product from Microsoft, will be made available to AT&T stores in New York on 17^th April, after first being launched in May 2007. Instead of interacting with sales people, customers will use the Microsoft Surface to answer any queries they have on products in the stores.

Could humans be replaced by technology? It is possible to see the implementation in the travel industry and it could be a very effective tool. The application of the technology in airports, hotels, travel centres and tourist information offices could become common place.

However, in an age where service is often the differentiator, will the technology provide the intimate personal service that a well trained, motivated person can? Only time will tell.

Read more on the Microsoft Surface on TechCrunch