By Francis Allan L. Angelo
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with Microsoft, has released comprehensive reports showcasing Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) pivotal role in the evolution of the travel and tourism industry.
The reports titled “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI): Overview of AI Risks, Safety & Governance” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Global Strategies, Policies & Regulations,” reflect a commitment to integrating AI in a manner that prioritizes safety, ethics, and responsible practices.
Introduced at the UN General Assembly, the reports signify WTTC’s dedication to fostering innovation and heightening customer service through the secure and credible application of AI technology.
The “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI)” report explores potential risks and strategizes on creating frameworks that uphold transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI usage. It also addresses the challenge of bias and discrimination, pushing for human oversight of AI systems.
In the series’ concluding part, WTTC offers a thorough analysis of the global AI ecosystem, detailing how international policy is being shaped to support AI advancement while maintaining ethical integrity.
“AI emerges as a catalyst for positive change, offering strategic benefits to personalize customer experiences and drive sustainable growth in Travel & Tourism,” WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said.
Highlighting practical AI applications, the reports mention how major hotel groups, like Iberostar, have utilized AI to monitor and cut down food waste, leading to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.
Julie Shainock, Microsoft’s Managing Director for the Travel, Transport, & Logistics Industry, shared her optimism about AI, noting its capability to enhance customer and employee experiences and operational efficiency.
“We are only at the beginning of the journey,” said Shainock, “as AI becomes more widely adopted to automate tasks and elevate the human experience in travel.”
Both WTTC and Microsoft stress the transformative power of AI, urging the travel and tourism sector to adopt it as a strategic priority and address challenges, including the scarcity of AI-skilled workers.
As the travel and tourism sector recognizes AI’s potential, the need for investing in talent and encouraging human-AI collaboration becomes more apparent. WTTC leads the advocacy for secure, ethical, and inclusive AI innovation that promises to revolutionize industry practices and forge a path of growth and ingenuity.
