With the pandemic rapidly receding into history, optimism is high in the travel and tourism industry. Experts and veterans of the trade shared their hopes and dreams for what they hope to achieve in 2024.
There are no prizes for guessing that technology will play a big role in the immediate future of every sector and travel is no exception. “I expect that AI will continue to make its way more and more into the lives of everyday users and that includes the travel sector. I think travel companies and online travel agencies (OTAs) will start to embrace this technology to help provide users with more personalised travel suggestions as well as help to streamline the booking process,” William Lake, co-owner of Olive & Lake told Khmer Times on Thursday.
Another proponent of the technology theory is Nicole Loretan, Sales and Marketing Manager, Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia who said, “The integration of digital platforms and technologies to enhance visitor experiences and facilitate online bookings might gain further momentum. Cambodia could focus on promoting lesser-explored destinations, cultural events, and adventure tourism to diversify its tourism portfolio.”
Steve Lidgey, General Manager, Travel Asia a la carte felt that “travellers will be looking for more immersive, experiential travel in 2024. For the opportunity to experience local culture closer and stay longer in a destination.”
“Operators can benefit greatly from tools like AI that make it easier to write compelling tour descriptions, blog posts, images, and other marketing material to inspire potential visitors. Technology will change rapidly so it will be a challenge to keep up with it, but those who don’t will be left behind,” said Craig Dodge, Director of Sales and Marketing of Phare Circus.
AI will become an integral part of our lives in more and more areas and it’s something we can embrace to help us to be more efficient, understand trends and help find personalised solutions, continued Lake. “Already big OTAs such as Expedia, Trip.com and booking.com are rolling out the first versions of generative AI tools for their customers. These tools are still very early stage, but will change and grow significantly in 2024,” he added.
Some professionals felt that the Kingdom needed to get off the beaten track to lure more numbers of tourists. “Cambodia could focus on promoting lesser-explored destinations, cultural events, and adventure tourism to diversify its tourism portfolio. Leveraging Cambodia’s natural beauty for wellness retreats and incorporating traditional healing practices could attract health-conscious travellers,” said Loretan.
With all the fuss about AI and VR, travellers will still ultimately seek unique, authentic, immersive experiences, felt Dodge. “Travelers would rather experience hiking trails in Angkor Park than put on VR goggles and pretend. There will be great opportunities, therefore, for operators who provide active, immersive, cultural experiences unique to the location and different from what competitors offer,” he added.
Source: khmertimeskh.com
