WTTC report urges travel industry to embrace AI
New reports from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Microsoft highlight the transformative power of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for travel and tourism, marking a commitment to a digital future with unparalleled customer experiences.
The first in a series of AI reports is poised to redefine travel and tourism standards and call on the sector for greater integration of such technologies.
Throughout the traveller’s journey, WTTC believes AI can play a pivotal role in delivering a tailored and enhanced experience now and in the future. This technology can empower personalized recommendations and marketing strategies by analyzing traveller data, optimizing pricing strategies through real-time adjustments, and offering instant responses and fine-tuned interactions via sophisticated AI powered chatbots.
The report also highlights AI’s capabilities extend to predicting future demand patterns, efficiently allocating resources, and providing valuable insights for governments and travel and tourism stakeholders.
This contribution can be pivotal in promoting sustainability with efficient resource management by monitoring and minimizing environmental impacts, ensuring a more responsible and sustainable sector.
AI as a strategic tool
“As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of travel and tourism, AI emerges as a catalyst for positive change,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO. “The transformative capabilities highlighted in this report demonstrate that AI is not just a technological advancement, it is a strategic tool that can personalize the customer experience, drive sustainable improvements, and create real time pricing models.”
Despite the increasing examples of AI applications in travel and tourism, the report reveals the sector lags other consumer-facing industries in AI adoption. AI’s surge across various sector’s last year is now a relevant force, and the travel and tourism sector must act now to leverage its impact.
Challenges that must be overcome by travel and tourism businesses include a shortage of AI-skilled workers, limited AI infrastructure, and the absence of a formal ‘AI strategy’ in many business plans.
A strategic priority
Travel and tourism businesses are urged to embrace AI as a strategic priority, investing heavily in talent to foster collaboration between humans and AI. Amidst concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, the report addresses the potential for job creation, recognizing that although AI will be disruptive, it will in turn generate new opportunities.
In the quest for sustainable AI practices within the travel and tourism sector, responsible data management emerges as a crucial strategy. Implementing measures such as data minimization, efficient storage, and responsible data disposal, becomes pivotal for organizations seeking to minimize their carbon emissions when using new digital technologies, and reduce their AI environmental footprint significantly.
The report explores AI applications in society and business, emphasizing the need for safe and responsible AI system design in travel and tourism, signifying a milestone in the sector’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and showcasing AI’s potential to shape a bright future for travel and tourism.
Go to www.wttc.org for more.
