The Tourism AI Podcast

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.

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 #SustainableTourismGlobal 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 resultswhy long-tail, intent-rich queries matter more than branded keywordsKismet’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

Can’t hire fast enough? Agentic systems—AI-powered “digital employees” can shoulder sales follow-up, inbox triage, social media and even itinerary design for a fraction of today’s costs. In this Tourism AI Podcast episode, host Peter Pilarski talks with Jesse Anglen (CEO, Rapid Innovation) about building agentic workflows that solve tourism’s labour crunch without compromising high-touch service.🎧 Topics & Timestamps00:00 Intro01:00 What are agentic systems?03:15 Why tourism’s problem is too few humans, not AI displacement06:00 Heli-ski case study: remote lodge, luxury guests, zero spare staff10:30 Three levels of AI adoption (and why “free ChatGPT” isn’t enough) 15:40 Building blocks: Intelligence • Tools • Process • Memory21:00 Marketing & lead-nurture agents that cost 99 % less than agencies 27:30 MCP & A2A protocols—why tool-calling is now plug-and-play33:00 Preparing data & SOPs (the “unsexy” work that pays off)40:45 Future outlook: 1 % of salary, 100 % of the value44:55 How to start your first agentic pilot🔗 Resources• RapidInnovation.io• Download the free AI Tourism Adoption Toolkit — https://tourismai.network/toolkit• Join Tourism AI Network community — https://tain.circle.so/join?invitation_token=fe0945e29ada9906803fb2a3089c73ee19954c63-901aa2d6-9846-4076-a764-40b3b3760f40 🤝 Connect Jesse Anglen — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseanglen/#tourismai AITourism #AgenticSystems #DigitalWorkforce #TourismAIagentic systems tourism,digital employees,AI workforce,tourism labour shortage,artificial intelligence in tourism,rapid innovation,jesse anglen,peter pilarski,tourism ai podcast,heli-ski lodge case study,ai marketing automation,model context protocol,mcP,a2a protocol,chatgpt plus,gemini 1.5,claude 3.5,travel tech,remote lodge operationsChapters (auto-detect OR paste into description) 0:00 Intro & episode goals 1:00 Meet Jesse Anglen / Rapid Innovation 2:30 Tourism’s labour crunch vs. AI “replacement” myth 6:00 Heli-ski lodge case study 8:45 Three levels of AI adoption 14:00 Paid vs free LLMs 17:00 Agentic building blocks 21:00 Marketing automation wins 27:30 Tool-calling via MCP 31:20 Data hygiene & SOPs 38:50 Quick-start experiments 40:45 Future cost curve 43:30 How to get started 44:55 Wrap-up & CTAs

Professor Lian Dumouchel reveals how she leveraged generative AI to create The Marketing Map, a free, Canada-specific tourism marketing textbook, in just eight weeks. We examine:AI as a research assistant that compresses months of work into daysUsing synthetic personas and data to validate new travel productsTactics to overcome staff resistance and prove ROI fastThree action items you can pilot this quarterFollow & share• Follow the Tourism AI Podcast for fresh episodes every Thursday• Rate & review—your feedback helps more travel pros discover AI solutionstourism AI, hospitality technology, open educational resources, synthetic data, travel marketing, destination management, AI literacyTravel, Technology, Business, Education, Marketing, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Data, Hospitality, Tourism

Join Peter Pilarski, Founder of the Tourism AI Network, as he sits down with Chapman Shaw of Indigenous Tourism British Columbia to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Indigenous cultural stewardship. In this candid conversation, you’ll hear how Chapman is navigating his AI journey—from experimenting with AI note-taking tools to building a custom GPT trained on distinctions-based documentation for First Nations advocacy. They tackle crucial topics such as:Ethical AI in Community Contexts: Best practices for introducing AI note-takers in meetings, ensuring transparency and respect for data sovereignty.Capacity Building: How Indigenous Tourism BC teams are leveraging AI—from marketing content creation to automating meeting notes—to save hours each week.Forensic AI Models: Chapman’s step-by-step approach to feeding cultural primers and calls to action into a custom GPT that preserves heritage, language, and governance protocols.Policy & Trust: The distinction between cultural sharing and cultural sling, and why clear organizational policies are essential for building comfort and trust among knowledge keepers.Whether you’re a tourism professional curious about AI or a community leader seeking to responsibly integrate emerging technologies, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories to guide your journey.🔗 Resources & Next StepsJoin the Tourism AI Network community for exclusive webinars and peer support: https://tourismai.network/communitySubscribe and leave a review—each rating helps us bring you more conversations at the cutting edge of AI in tourism.

Tourism’s data mess is real—but it doesn’t have to be.In this episode, Peter talks with Ryan Malcolm (Director of Business Development, Tourismo) about building a single source of truth for destinations and using AI to lighten the load on small teams. Topics include:Tourismo’s origin story and “rise‑all‑ships” visionUsing AI to auto‑create business listings, tag media, and suggest new contentOvercoming data silos and legacy‑system blockersBalancing first‑party data protection with actionable insightsWhat content AI can’t replicate—and why that matters for 2025Ryan’s one wish for the future of AI in tourismLinks & resourcesJoin the Tourism AI Network community for webinars & peer support: https://tain.circle.so/join?invitation_token=fe0945e29ada9906803fb2a3089c73ee19954c63-901aa2d6-9846-4076-a764-40b3b3760f40Follow the show for weekly conversations with tourism leaders turning AI into real‑world results.Hashtags#TourismAI #TravelTech #Tourismo #Podcast #DataStrategy #AIAdoption

Join us for an enlightening chat with Arin from Okanagan College as she shares her first-hand experience using AI responsibly—both in the classroom and beyond. Discover why AI literacy is crucial for tomorrow’s tourism leaders, how students self-police proper AI usage in group projects, and why open dialogue between industry veterans and digital-savvy newcomers drives true innovation.If you’re excited to build a future-ready tourism business, subscribe and explore our AI Adoption Toolkit. Let’s shape a more efficient, customer-centric, and forward-thinking tourism industry—together.#TourismAI #AIInTourism #OkanaganCollege #TourismConference #StudentPerspective #AIIntegration #DigitalTransformation #HospitalityIndustry #InnovationInTourism #FutureOfWork #Agritourism #AIAdoption #EducationAndAI #PodcastEpisode

Ever wonder how a small destination marketing organization can harness the power of AI to streamline workflows and enhance visitor engagement? In this episode, we sit down with Destination Marketing Manager Carly Brkich from Tourism Chilliwack to discover how her team embraced AI tools—from custom GPTs for marketing copy to automated processes for HR and operations. Carly shares the real-world challenges they faced—from initial skepticism to ethical adoption—along with the breakthroughs that allowed Tourism Chilliwack to scale its marketing efforts without losing the personal touch that makes their destination special.If you’re leading a tourism or hospitality business and are curious about AI’s potential to save time, reduce costs, and elevate the guest experience, this conversation is a must-watch. Gain insights into responsible AI frameworks, leadership buy-in strategies, and the continuous learning mindset essential for staying ahead. Join us as we unpack Tourism Chilliwack’s journey to becoming an innovative AI-powered DMO—and learn how you can start or refine your own AI journey today• Subscribe for more interviews with leaders revolutionizing tourism through AI!#TourismAI #DestinationMarketing #AIinTourism #HospitalityInnovation #DMOInsights

Join us as we sit down with Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (#TIABC), for an in-depth conversation on how conferences, policy advocacy, and emerging #AI tools are transforming the #TourismIndustry and #Hospitality sectors. Discover why face-to-face gatherings remain crucial for building relationships, learn about key policy hurdles affecting tourism businesses, and explore how #AIInTourism can provide a competitive edge.If you’re a tourism professional eager to stay ahead, you won’t want to miss Walt’s insights on the biggest opportunities shaping our industry and how the #TourismAINetwork can help you integrate cutting-edge tech—without losing the human touch. Stay tuned until the end for actionable tips and resources to guide you forward!#TourismConference #InnovationInTourism #DestinationMarketing #TravelIndustry #HospitalityInsights #TourismLeaders

Breaking down large language models (LLMs) vs. reasoning models. The truth about AI agents – what’s hype and what’s real? How businesses can structure AI projects for success. 

Join industry leaders Peter Pilarski and Andreas Mueller-Schubert as they dive into the future of tourism in 2025. In this podcast episode, learn how AI is transforming destination marketing, boosting operational efficiency, and personalizing customer experiences. Discover actionable strategies for overcoming common challenges, integrating AI with legacy systems, and leading digital transformation in tourism. Whether you're a DMO, travel agency, or hospitality chain, this conversation offers the insights you need to stay ahead. Tune in now and empower your tourism business with AI-driven innovation!

How is AI transforming the tourism industry? And why does each generation adopt it differently? In this episode of theTourism AI Podcast, hostPeter Pilarski dives into the generational divide in AI adoption withKendel Lavallee (Millennial) andJuan Correa (Gen Z).👨‍💼Gen X leaders struggle with AI adoption but recognize its necessity.👩‍💻Millennials balance AI automation with strategic expertise.🧑‍🎓Gen Z pros are redefining efficiency with AI-first workflows.📢Key takeaways:✅ The biggest AI adoption challenges across generations 🚀✅Shadow AI use—how employees use AI without employer oversight 🔍✅ The impact of AI onworkplace efficiency & decision-making 🤖✅ The future of AI intourism over the next 5 years ⏳🎧Listen now & stay ahead in the AI revolution!🔗Follow & Subscribe for More AI in Tourism Insights!📌Website:www.tourismainetwork.com#AITourism #ArtificialIntelligence #TechTrends #FutureOfWork #Podcast #TourismIndustry

🚀Is your business chasing every new AI trend? In this episode of theTourism AI Network Podcast, hostsPeter Pilarski andJosh Huston dive into the dangers ofShiny Object Syndrome in AI adoption.We discuss:✅ Why businesses fall for AI hype✅ The hidden costs and risks of constantly switching AI tools✅ How to strategically integrate AI without disrupting your workflow✅ TheAI Adoption Framework that ensures long-term success📌Key Takeaways:AI is a tool, not a trend—pick a platform and optimize itFree AI isn’t always free—understand the trade-offsAI intuition is more valuable than any single toolA structured strategy beats impulsive decisions every time🔥Don’t let AI FOMO cost your business! Learn how to build asmart, sustainable AI strategy instead of collecting tools that won’t drive results.🎧Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform!🔗Join the AI Adoption Movement!📩 Download ourAI Adoption Toolkit → www.tourismainetwork.com🌍 Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/tourismainetwork#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessStrategy #TechAdoption #TourismAI #Productivity