Generative AI - a game changer for tourism

As co-founder and CTO of zauberware technologies, I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to utilise technology in a meaningful way. The field of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has particularly fascinated me. This technology is not only changing the way we process information, but also offers enormous opportunities for tourism. In this article, I share my views and experiences on how generative AI is taking tourism to a new level - from planning to the on-site experience.

The leap with GPT-3.5: The beginning of a revolution

At the end of 2022, with the introduction of GPT-3.5, I realised that we were at a turning point. Suddenly, AI was able to generate detailed and personalised content that supported travellers in a way that was previously unthinkable. Tourism marketing and travel planning, traditionally characterised by personal recommendations or travel agencies, are now benefiting from this interactive technology. AI makes it possible to cater to individual needs and process large amounts of data efficiently at the same time. This opens up completely new possibilities.

Personalised travel planning through AI

A concrete example from my own experience: my trip to Norway this year. Instead of laboriously searching for information on numerous travel blogs and apps, I used ChatGPT as a digital travel assistant. I gave the AI basic information such as travel period, favourite activities and the requirement that the trip should be child-friendly. Within minutes, I received a complete itinerary tailored to our needs. This flexibility and time saving is a great advantage.

Of course, there are also challenges. AIs like ChatGPT sometimes provide inaccurate information, so-called "hallucinations". To avoid this, I also rely on tools such as **Perplexity** or our own platform **hermine.ai**, which use verified sources and therefore offer more reliable results. This combination of creativity and reliability not only makes travel planning easier, but also safer.

Personalised travel experiences through AI

In tourism, the trend towards personalisation is unmistakable. Travellers no longer want standardised packages, but experiences that are tailored to their individual wishes. Tourism organisations can fulfil this desire with AI-supported solutions. In my projects, we are working on enabling cities or destinations to provide personalised recommendations and information in real time. This makes the interaction between travellers and tourist offers more dynamic and individual.

For example, travellers could automatically receive suggestions for local events or sights based on their interests or previous travel preferences. This turns every trip into a customised experience.

Interactive experiences on site

Another example from my trip to Norway: While I was there, I used the ChatGPT app to find out more about the neighbourhood. When I came across a statue that didn't have a sign, I simply took a photo and let the AI tell me the story. It felt like I had my own travel guide in my pocket - always available and in the language I needed. Particularly impressive is the AI's ability to translate texts into over 600 languages, which is invaluable for international travellers. These technologies not only make travelling more informative, but also more interactive and accessible

Challenges in the use of AI in tourism

Despite all these advantages, there are also challenges that need to be considered. As already mentioned, some AI models are prone to "hallucinations", meaning they can provide incorrect or inaccurate information. This can be particularly problematic when travellers need reliable information. The solution lies in combining AI with verified sources and additional security mechanisms. This is where platforms that use data from trusted sources and continuously update it to ensure accuracy come into play. It is important that travellers and providers alike keep these limitations in mind and use the technology responsibly.

The future of tourism

The integration of generative AI in tourism is not a short-term trend, but a fundamental change. It influences how travellers search for information, how tourism services are provided and how destinations respond to the needs of their guests. At zauberware, we are working hard to implement these technologies in collaboration with tourism organisations. With the TourComm Content-Creator, you have your own personal AI assistant. The web-based software can be customised to your individual needs and is ready for use in no time at all. The next big step is for AI solutions to dynamically deliver verified local information to travellers for an even more seamless experience. For example, tourists could receive real-time weather alerts, event information or even recommendations based on current preferences. AI has the potential not only to personalise travel, but also to dynamically adapt it to the situation at hand.

Conclusion: Now is the time to act

The development of generative AI is progressing rapidly. It is crucial that companies in the tourism industry recognise this opportunity and get to grips with these technologies at an early stage. Those who start implementing AI solutions for personalised travel planning, destination marketing or customer communication today will have a decisive advantage in the future.

My recommendation: Take a look at tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity or hermine.ai and test for yourself how generative AI can help you. Set up small pilot projects to find out how AI can be integrated into your current processes. The start may be small, but the potential is enormous. I firmly believe that we are only at the beginning of this revolution. The future of travel is personalised, interactive and AI-powered - and I look forward to helping shape that future.