Travel sector’s sluggish AI adoption raises concerns, says WTTC chief

In a recent interview with Travel Weekly, Julia Simpson, the chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), expressed concerns about the travel sector’s slow adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). While recognising some industry leaders who are ahead in implementing AI technology, Simpson believes that overall progress has been sluggish compared to other sectors.

Simpson views AI not as a threat to jobs but as a tool that could enhance the industry. She predicts that AI will primarily handle repetitive back-office tasks, allowing employees to refocus on roles that require direct interaction with customers or involvement in research, thereby increasing overall operational efficiency.

The WTTC anticipates that the travel and tourism industry will employ around 348 million people globally by the end of 2023. This number surpasses the population of the United States, which hovers around 335 million. Despite concerns about AI potentially displacing some jobs, Simpson is optimistic that the impact will be largely positive, enhancing job satisfaction by moving employees into more engaging roles. She acknowledges that, while some jobs may be lost, organisations will gain in efficiency, allowing them to reallocate resources to areas that make better use of human skills.

Highlighting the benefits of AI, Simpson referred to a recent report that suggested that the travel and tourism sector stands to gain the most from adopting AI technology, provided it is integrated successfully. As the discussion around AI continues to grow, the travel industry finds itself at a crossroads, with the potential for AI to transform service delivery and operational efficiency, offering a competitive edge to those who embrace it.

Source: Noah Wire Services