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Sep 15, 2023

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – September 15, 2023

TIABC

CEO MESSAGE

Every year, another form of technology seems to dominate daily conversations, media reports, advertising campaigns, supplier sales pitches, podcasts, virtual and live presentations, social media, and virtually every other communication/marketing channel known to civilization.

In the last decade or two alone we’ve either heard about or adopted metaverse, blockchain, crypto, cloud, big data, Internet of things, data mining, machine learning, bandwidth, quantum computing, digital transformation…the list goes on and on.

These days, however, one can hardly access any medium without seeing or hearing the words Artificial Intelligence (AI). In some form AI has been around for years, but recent advances in this technology is drawing headlines.

In my rudimentary, Coles notes interpretation, AI is a machine’s ability to simulate human behaviour/thinking and use algorithms trained on data to learn, adapt and solve a problem, as well as deliver highly personalized, specific information well beyond the scope of what was previously available. Clear as mud?

Pragmatically, AI is being used in multiple disciplines including: image and facial recognition in security systems; autonomous vehicles; grading student papers; inventory management; disease detection; wildlife conservation; traffic management; chatbots; gaming; producing reports; and endless other applications.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates believes that AI is the most revolutionary technology in decades. In an op-ed published earlier this year, Gates said, “The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone. It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care, and communicate with each other.”  

In Gates’ commentary, the word travel jumped out at me for obvious reasons. I recognize that you may already be well down the path of embracing AI to advance your tourism business’ objectives, but admittedly I’m still trying to fully comprehend what it is, never mind consider the implications for associations like TIABC. To that end, earlier this week I attended a virtual workshop that provided topline insights into AI that not only provided a solid base from which to expand my knowledge but will ultimately help inform TIABC’s strategic plan and priorities in the coming years.

If AI is not on your radar yet, I suggest that it should be. But don’t take it from me, look at what organizations like Destinations International are saying. In their DestinationNext 2023 Future Study, survey respondents ranked AI as number one of 50 trends that DMOs and the tourism industry in general need to consider, citing that artificial intelligence will become increasingly prevalent at an accelerated pace. As for strategy, DMOs ranked increasing knowledge of innovative technologies 11th out of 50 in terms of priority.

The possibilities are exciting but also scary. Goldman Sachs predicts that 300 million jobs will be lost or degraded by AI. The Daily Mail suggests that 20 percent of all jobs will disappear. On the other hand, technology experts maintain that Artificial Intelligence will not replace jobs but rather ‘tasks‘. In some respects it could help mitigate some of the workforce challenges in the tourism industry even though we are a high touch, personalized service delivery sector.

I look forward to seeing and embracing how AI will benefit the visitor economy and how we can maximize this cutting-edge technology to accomplish our respective and collective objectives.  

In a podcast interview with a couple of senior industry colleagues earlier this week, I raised the subject of Artificial Intelligence… which is not something I’ve broached with previous guests. Judging by their response, I suspect it will be a key topic in every TIABC Voice of Tourism Podcast for the foreseeable future.

Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC

Related Posts

Walt Judas spoke with TIABC Director Mike Retasket, former Chief of the Bonaparte First Nation, for his perspective on what this day means to Indigenous peoples and what it should signify to everyone else. 

What does National Truth & Reconciliation Day mean to you? 
 
Mike said: Orange Shirt Day or National Day For Truth and Reconciliation makes me realize there is so much work to do. So many things have happened to the Indian people there needs to be accountability. Who is it that needs to do the reconciling here? Reconciliation will require land, water, medicine, ceremony, language, culture, heritage, values and restitution. There are outstanding issues that will need to be addressed before truth and reconciliation hits the ground. It is this groundwork that requires commitments from government that can be measured so we ensure moving forward together.

#trw2023  #NDTR
🛫 Exciting News in the World of Travel! 🌎

TIABC CEO Walt Judas with the partners behind Airble, a new BC-based charter flight and tour app that allows customers to book on-demand and customized flight experiences for business or pleasure to hundreds of destinations.✈️🌟

(from left to right):
🔹 Saeed Golzar
🔹 Walt Judas
🔹 Sarvar Minwalla
🔹 Kevin Adlparvar

#Airble #TravelInnovation #NextGenTravel #BCtourism #BC
TIABC CEO Walt Judas with Hon. josie_osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation, along with @guideoutfittersassociationofbc's Scott Ellis and @cariboochilcotincoast's Amy Thacker at the Vancouver Cabinet office following a productive discussion on ways the tourism industry can more effectively work with government to achieve mutual benefits for both the visitor economy and resource extraction industries such as mining.
Your support matters to us! 🤝

Meet Will Harding, Founder of Travel Local and proud member of TIABC. Hear why his business recently became a member of TIABC and why he encourages other businesses and organizations to consider a membership.

Your support and engagement is vital to ensuring businesses, DMO’s and sectors are united and speaking with one voice on issues that impact BC’s tourism industry.

Join TIABC today through link in bio. 👆
TIABC CEO Walt Judas with Hon. josie_osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation, at the Fully Charged Live Canada exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. 🙌
🚁 Weekend vibes: TIABC CEO Walt Judas joined a heli-hiking tour in the Cariboo Mountains near Valemount with pilot Nadia and fellow adventure enthusiasts. A thrilling experience in BC's stunning landscapes! 🏔️🌲