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In part 3 of our 2026 predictions series, we tackle the two biggest disruptors facing tourism: agentic commerce and AI politics.
McKinsey predicts AI will drive 46% of transactions by 2030. Peter thinks that number's low. We discuss why OTAs are positioning aggressively while DMOs risk becoming just data indexes for AI agents, how the customer relationship is shifting from B2C to B2A2C, and what operators must do NOW to avoid OTA 2.0.
Then we explore AI politics: how regulations like the EU AI Act will shape what tourism businesses can actually do, why early engagement with policymakers matters, and how the industry can avoid getting caught unprepared.
Read the full blog here.
#AIinTourism #AgenticCommerce #DMO #DestinationMarketing #TravelTech #AIRegulation #TourismAI
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Peter, Kendel, and Matthew tackle the operational side of AI in 2026. They break down what agentic AI actually means (and why 40% of projects will fail), explain why you can't rely on one AI tool anymore, and reveal what's replacing SEO as the most critical marketing activity this year.
Practical takeaways: three things tourism operators can do right now to improve their generative engine optimization, how to audit whether AI tools even surface your business, and why we're past the early adopter phase.
Read the full blog here.
#AIinTourism #AgenticAI #GEO #DestinationMarketing #TourismTech #AIAdoption
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This podcast was recorded using Riverside.FM – the platform we trust for studio-quality remote recordings. With local tracks, HD video, and easy guest access, Riverside makes it simple to create pro-level podcasts from anywhere.
Want to launch your own? Try Riverside here.
Did you know we offer a free AI Minute Snippet for your organization's newsletter? Give your members valuable AI insights without adding work for your team. Partner with us to add high-quality, thought-provoking AI content to your newsletter - for free! Book a 15-minute call to learn more!
Welcome to part one of our 2026 AI Predictions series. Peter breaks down the three foundational shifts every tourism professional needs to understand: why AI literacy is becoming non-negotiable, how jobs are transforming (not disappearing), and why context engineering matters more than technical skills.
This isn't about Amazon's $2.5 billion training budget. It's about what a five-person wilderness lodge in BC needs to know right now. Matthew brings a Gen Z perspective on AI literacy, and we walk through practical examples of context engineering for small operators.
Read the full blog here.
#AIinTourism #TourismTech #DestinationMarketing #AILiteracy #ContextEngineering #TourismAI
Follow Tourism AI Network:
This podcast was recorded using Riverside.FM – the platform we trust for studio-quality remote recordings. With local tracks, HD video, and easy guest access, Riverside makes it simple to create pro-level podcasts from anywhere.
Want to launch your own? Try Riverside here.
How are travellers really finding hotels in 2025? According to SiteMinder's latest report, OTAs have officially overtaken search engines as the #1 discovery channel, and AI-powered discovery jumped from 4% to 18% in just one year. In this episode, we break down what this seismic shift means for DMOs, hotels, and tourism marketers.
Peter, Kendel, and new TAIN team member Matthew Dias discuss whether SEO budgets still matter, how DMOs can reclaim their position as the "ultimate source of truth," and why generational differences in travel planning are reshaping the industry. Plus: rapid-fire hype meter on Canada's $1B AI investment, Google's Nano Banana Pro image generator, Claude's Excel integration, and why Grok thinks Elon Musk could beat LeBron James in a fitness contest.
#AIinTourism #DMO #TravelTech #HospitalityMarketing #OTA #TourismAI #AIDiscovery #SearchEngineOptimization
Tourism and hospitality leaders rushing to adopt AI face critical cybersecurity risks most don't see coming. Cybersecurity expert Cordell Robinson, CEO of Brownstone Consulting Firm, joins the Tourism AI Podcast to reveal the hidden dangers of out-of-box AI tools, shadow AI use, and why humans are the biggest threat to AI security.In this episode, discover the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) approach to safe AI implementation, how to assess your organization's cultural maturity before rolling out AI, and why baking security in from day one saves you from expensive emergency fixes. Cordell shares real-world insights on training requirements, policy enforcement, Chinese AI technology considerations, and navigating data sovereignty laws like the US CLOUD Act.Whether you're a DMO director, hospitality COO, or tourism tech leader, this conversation offers practical frameworks for adopting AI without exposing your organization to devastating breaches.Keywords: #AIinTourism #Cybersecurity #AIAdoption #DMO #TourismLeadership #DataSecurity #AIRisks #TravelTechTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Background02:45 – The Leadership Gap in AI Adoption05:20 – Cybersecurity Risks with Out-of-Box AI Tools08:50 – SDLC Approach to AI Implementation12:15 – Shadow AI & Policy Enforcement16:30 – Leadership's Role in Change Management20:55 – Context Engineering & Secure AI Setup25:40 – Assessing Cultural Maturity Before AI29:10 – Leveraging Existing IT Infrastructure31:45 – Chinese AI Tech: Risks & Opportunities35:30 – Data Sovereignty & International Laws37:45 – Final Advice & Contact InfoConnect with Cordell Robinson:Website: www.bismbravocsf.comLinkedIn: Cordell RobinsonApp: Compliance Aid (coming soon to App Store)Connect with Tourism AI Network:Website: tourismainetwork.comJoin our Circle Community for AI resources and discussions
Join Peter Pilarski as he sits down with Deneen Allen, founder of Pure North Canada and Fire Circle, to explore the critical gaps in tourism training and how AI is reshaping the industry. Deneen shares insights from nearly 30 years in tourism development, revealing why operators struggle with market context, brand storytelling, and operational design—and how her Five by Five Method addresses these challenges.
#AIinTourism #DataSovereignty #AIAgents #TravelTech #DMO #HospitalityAI #TourismInnovation #ResponsibleAIIn this power-packed episode, Peter and Kendel unpack the biggest AI stories shaping tourism right now—from Canada's data sovereignty debate and OpenAI's Gemini rivals to Expedia's new AI itinerary tool and Sora's viral video generator. Discover how AI agents are booking reservations autonomously, why DMOs must lead responsible AI adoption, and what hospitality operators should prioritize in 2025. Plus: a deep dive into Anthropic's anti-China stance, Elon's "Grokopedia" ambitions, and real-world hotel productivity wins.
Peter and Kendel break down the biggest AI announcements reshaping tourism and hospitality in 2025. From Microsoft's new AI agent routing in Copilot to OpenAI's instant checkout feature, the travel booking landscape is transforming overnight. Learn why direct bookings could finally disrupt OTAs, how social media became the new search engine for travelers, and why McKinsey says AI adoption is about culture, not technology. Plus: Sam Altman's AGI predictions and a heartwarming story about robots creating jobs for paralyzed workers in Japan.Whether you're a DMO, hotel operator, or tourism professional, this episode explains what these changes mean for your business—and why search everywhere optimization (GEO) just became non-negotiable.
#aiintourism #tourismmarketing #aiagents #directbookings #geo #hospitalitytech #dmo #traveltech
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: The AI Shift Is Here
01:09 – Microsoft Copilot's AI Agent Mode
05:10 – Junior Roles & AI Concerns
10:05 – OpenAI Instant Checkout Changes Everything
16:07 – Disrupting the OTA Model
19:51 – AGI by 2030: What It Means
24:47 – AI as the "Third Parent"
38:56 – McKinsey: Culture Over Tech
41:26 – Social Media Becomes Search
44:54 – Japan's Robot Cafe Inspires
Tourism industry veterans are retiring, taking decades of wisdom with them – just as AI transforms everything. Kate Colley from Hatch Hospitality joins Peter to discuss the leadership crisis facing tourism and how to bridge the gap between tech-savvy young professionals and experienced industry legends.
Kate shares insights from 25 years working with BC tourism icons like Rick Antonson, Walt Judas, and Ellen Walker-Matthews. They explore why many senior leaders feel intimidated by AI technology, how Gen X can bridge generational divides, and practical strategies for preserving institutional knowledge while embracing digital transformation.
Albania just appointed the world's first AI cabinet minister, and China unveiled a revolutionary brain-inspired chip that's 100x faster than traditional AI models. Join Peter and Kendall as they break down these game-changing developments and what they mean for the future of tourism technology.
This episode covers Albania's digital procurement minister "Delia," robot hotels expanding to major US chains like Marriott, the critical importance of integrated customer data platforms for tourism businesses, and introduces a new parenting segment discussing OpenAI's ChatGPT for teens. Plus, rapid-fire analysis of China's AI curriculum for 9-year-olds, OpenAI's LinkedIn competitor, and the breakthrough MetaX brain chip technology.
Whether you're a DMO leader, hotel executive, or tourism entrepreneur, this episode delivers actionable insights on AI adoption strategies, data integration challenges, and the geopolitical AI race reshaping our industry.
Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction00:34 – Albania's AI Cabinet Minister12:00 – Robot Hotels in Tourism17:11 – Customer Data Platform Strategy24:39 – AI Parenting Discussion31:23 – Rapid Fire: China's AI Education38:50 – OpenAI Jobs Platform42:03 – ChatGPT Conversation Branching46:06 – China's Brain Chip Breakthrough
#AIinTourism #TourismTech #DMO #HotelTech #CustomerDataPlatform #TourismAI #HospitalityInnovation #AIstrategy
Hotel marketing expert Christine Malfair reveals how AI search is completely disrupting the hospitality industry and what independent hotels must do now to reduce OTA dependency. Learn the strategies that can help you reclaim that $700K+ in annual commission costs.
Christine breaks down the essential steps for AI search optimization, from structuring website content for large language models to leveraging Reddit, Wikipedia, and YouTube for maximum visibility. Discover why alignment between marketing and operations teams is critical, how to audit your tech stack for AI readiness, and why booking engines without open APIs could cost you direct reservations.
This episode covers the future of hotel distribution, the hidden costs of OTA relationships, and actionable strategies for building direct booking momentum in the age of AI-powered search.
Peter and Andreas Mueller-Schubert forecast what the website of 2030 will look like, exploring how AI is shifting the web from static pages to dynamic, voice-activated assistants. They discuss the rise of the "agentic web," where websites must cater to two distinct audiences: human users and the AI agents working on their behalf.
Discover how this evolution will impact everything from user interfaces—with voice and multimodal inputs becoming standard—to the very structure of search. The conversation also highlights a massive opportunity for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to become central data and booking hubs, leveraging AI to manage visitor flow and enhance the traveler experience in real-time. Is your digital presence ready for a future where websites don't just provide information, but take direct action?
future of websites, AI in tourism, destination marketing, agentic web, travel technology, DMO, voice search, AI chatbots#AIinTourism #FutureofWeb #DMO #TravelTech #Website2030 #DigitalMarketing #Tourism
Chapters:00:00 – What Will a Website Look Like in 2030?
02:42 – From Web Pages to AI Assistants
05:02 – Building for Two Audiences: Humans & AI Agents
06:24 – The Rise of Voice & Multimodal Interfaces
11:26 – The Future Role of DMOs as OTAs
18:32 – Is Your Website Platform (e.g., WordPress) Future-Proof?
23:21 – The Evolving Role of AI Chatbots in Tourism
30:16 – Using Real-Time Data to Manage Destinations
What will websites look like in 2030? We explore AI, agents, and the future of travel.
AI is reshaping tourism—and Episode 19 of the Tourism AI Podcast dives into the biggest headlines driving change. From Singapore’s groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI to Delta’s controversial AI-powered pricing and Africa’s leadership in AI-driven content creation, we explore how innovation, ethics, and transparency are shaping the industry’s future.
Singapore Tourism Board has partnered with OpenAI in Asia’s first national-level AI tourism initiative—setting a bold precedent for how destinations can lead digital transformation. In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast, Peter Pilarski and Kendel share key insights for tourism leaders, from AI-powered personalization and dynamic pricing controversies to African DMOs scaling multilingual content.
We explore what this means for innovation, data stewardship, and how DMOs, travel agencies, and hospitality leaders can adapt these lessons for their own regions. Whether you’re navigating legacy system integration or aiming to inspire your community with forward-thinking AI strategies, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas and global perspectives.
#AIinTourism #DMO #TourismInnovation #TravelTech #TourismLeaders #DigitalTransformation #SustainableTourism
Global AI tourism trends, from Singapore’s bold leap to African content leadership.
Dive into AI search trends and chatbots shaping destination marketing’s future.
Discover how AI is revolutionizing the way destinations are found and booked online. In this episode, Peter Pilarski sits down with Andreas from NextGen Marketing to explore the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven search, the role of chatbots on DMO websites, and what tourism organizations must do today to prepare for a voice- and agent-based future
#AIinTourism #DMO #DestinationMarketing #Chatbots #DigitalInnovation #TourismTech #AIsearch #FutureOfTravel
Hotels and destinations are on the brink of an AI-first search revolution. In this episode, Kismet co-founder Jason Sincada explains why large language models now prefer OTA data—and how hotels, tour operators, and DMOs can win back direct bookings by structuring content the right way.
You’ll learn:
the new “table-stakes plus” SEO needed to surface in AI results
why long-tail, intent-rich queries matter more than branded keywords
Kismet’s plug-and-play approach that pipes your existing web, social, and media assets into an AI-ready knowledge graph—so you “set it and forget it”
how forward-thinking DMOs can link attractions, events, and hotels into one discoverable travel graph
Peter Pilarski and Kendel launch Tourism AI Network’s new news-round format, breaking down the week’s most important AI stories for destination marketers and travel innovators.
From ChatGPT-style AI agents that can book trips for your guests, to NVIDIA’s digital-twin “smart city” blueprint, to South Africa’s instant AI-powered visas, this episode shows how fast tech is reshaping visitor experiences—and what DMOs, hotels, and tour operators must do NOW.
Ready to future-proof your destination? Hit Subscribe, drop your questions below, and join the Tourism AI Network community for deeper dives.
Dive into the latest episode of the Tourism AI Podcast as Peter Pilarski sits down with Kendall, AI Adoption Manager at Tourism AI Network, to explore the evolution of AI in tourism. Learn why simplifying tools and processes is critical, how one-on-one “intuition sprints” fast-track adoption, and the bold vision behind TAIN’s upcoming reporting automation tool. Whether you’re just scratching the surface of AI or looking to build a comprehensive roadmap, Kendall’s insights will help you harness AI to streamline operations, foster community engagement, and prepare your organization for the future.
Links:
Joining the free Academy: https://tourismainetwork.com/ai-resources/tourism-ai-academy-2/
Fall 2025 learning calendar: ttps://tourismainetwork.com/ai-learning/fall-2025-ai-training-calendar/
Can a two-and-a-half-person DMO out-perform organisations ten times its size? Absolutely—when AI is your secret teammate.Episode summary:In this Tourism AI Network Podcast, host Peter Pilarski interviews Gerardo Corro, Tourism New Westminster Executive Director, about deploying a visitor-facing chatbot, cultivating a human-in-the-loop mindset, and preparing for AI agents that automate board reports. You’ll hear practical tips on file-naming conventions, training seasonal staff, and handling community pushback from artists.
Google just blew the doors off generative AI at I/O 2025 🤯
Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo/Flow video and true AI agents could save tourism ops 1,000+ staff hours this year. In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast, Peter Pilarski & Juan Correa unpack what it means for DMOs, hotels and travel brands.
⏱️ QUICK CHAPTERS
00:00 Hook & why you should care
01:10 Gemini 2.5 recap – paused reasoning & Flash
05:22 Veo/Flow: instant ultra-real video
09:30 Agents that book restaurants & tickets
14:12 The widening AI Divide in tourism
18:55 7-step adoption roadmap
26:40 FAQ & next steps
🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES
▶ Read the full 2,200-word blog guide → https://tourismainetwork.com/ai-tourism-2025-google-gemini-agents/
▶ Join the Tourism AI Network community → https://tain.circle.so/feed
💡 FREE TOOLKIT
Download our “AI Adoption Checklist for Tourism” PDF → [link]
🚀 ABOUT TOURISM AI NETWORK
We help tourism & hospitality leaders integrate AI with confidence—through education, strategy and community.
#AIinTourism #GoogleGemini #TravelTech2025