Analysis of the Erik Blachford and Chris Hemmeter Interview

Analysis of the Erik Blachford and Chris Hemmeter Interview

Last week, the Phocuswright Conference in Phoenix hosted an enlightening conversation between two legendary venture capitalists in the travel industry: Erik Blachford and Chris Hemmeter. Their discussion was filled with valuable insights about the future of travel, AI, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for businesses in this space. As someone deeply invested in the role AI will play in transforming travel experiences, I found their candid thoughts particularly relevant for our clients at MyTrip.AI.

Below are ten quotes from their conversation that resonated with me, each accompanied by a practical insight. These insights aim to help travel companies not only navigate, but thrive amidst the changes driven by AI and technological advancements.

1. "Anybody right now, if you're working for a travel company that says AI won't matter, I encourage you to look for another job."

Insight: AI isn’t a question of "if" but "when." The changes are coming, and they’re coming fast. Customers are expecting personalized interactions, instant responses, and seamless automation. Owners who hesitate may find themselves irrelevant before they even realize it. The smart move is to start now—find a way to add a small AI experiment to your operations today. Experiment, learn, iterate. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be moving.

2. "The genie is out of the bottle with AI. You absolutely can't stop it at this point."

Insight: AI is here, and there's no turning back. It’s a tsunami of change that’s reshaping industries, and travel is no exception. The winners will be those who learn to ride the wave. Start small: look at what aspects of your customer and staff interactions could benefit from being faster, smarter, or more personalized. Remember, the tools aren’t just for the giants—they’ve become accessible to companies of every size, built to scale as you grow.

3. "Right now is the time to be in the mix. If you're not in the mix in your job, be in the mix in your spare time."

Insight: This is your chance. We’re at the dawn of a major shift, and it’s easier to adapt now than to catch up later. Start experimenting. Don’t wait until you’re ready, because you’ll never feel completely ready. The key is to be in motion, to be testing, to be learning. AI doesn’t need to be a massive overhaul—it could be a chatbot answering FAQs or a recommendation engine to enhance bookings. Start where you are, use what you have, and see what happens.

4. "The idea of the agent that represents the traveler has legs and is real, but I can't tell you right now who exactly is going to develop that."

Insight: Imagine a digital concierge that works for your customers 24/7, anticipating needs, answering questions, making reservations—all without human intervention. Your company needs to be prepared to sell your products and services to AI Agents representing your final customers, as well as the AI Agents of your resellers and OTAs. Small travel companies have the chance to deliver highly personalized experiences that were once only possible with large staffs. Early adopters of AI agents will stand out in a soon to be crowded market. Don’t miss your chance to differentiate early when the market opportunity is greatest.

5. "The yield management tools we have today feel sophisticated now, but they're going to feel like toys within a few years."

Insight: What feels advanced today will be antiquated tomorrow. . The future of rates and amenities will involve real-time negotiations between AI Agents and your smart, AI-powered yield management system. This isn’t just for large hotel chains. Owners of smaller operations should start exploring automated pricing and inventory management. AI can help level the playing field, giving smaller players the tools they need to compete on flexibility and efficiency while becoming more profitable.

6. "The economics of distribution in travel don’t favor a monolithic solution. If they did, Google would run everybody’s PMS."

Insight: The travel landscape is diverse, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. This is good news for smaller operators. It means there’s room for different models, different approaches, different voices. But it also means that to compete effectively, you need the ability to connect seamlessly across multiple systems and platforms. Flexible AI tools that plug into your existing ecosystem are the way to stay relevant and efficient without surrendering control to a single tech giant.

7. "This is a time of incredible experimentation, but it’s also a dangerous time for entrepreneurs."

Insight: The potential of AI is massive, but so is the uncertainty. The goal for small travel businesses should be to take smart risks. You should ask yourself how your business could be totally reinvented with AI, but you don’t need to bet the farm—try smaller pilots, gather data, and adapt. AI can be experimented with incrementally. A customer service assistant here, an automated itinerary and quoting tool there. Each experiment can be an opportunity to learn more about what works for your specific audience. You don’t have to get it perfect; you just have to get started.

8. "Artificial General Intelligence probably exists already—it's just behind the walls of big companies."

Insight: The most advanced AI may be locked away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from what’s available now. General Intelligence refers to it's ability to do everything a human can. Your business is quite specific, involving finite processes requiring a relatively small scope of intelligence compared to being able to do everything a human is capable of. Tools are already available that require modest investment that can transform your customer service, enhance personalization, and streamline operations -- just add your data and knowhow and you will be surprised at how intelligently they can handle complex problems in your company.?

9. "Professional investors understand it's about at bats. If you're going to hit home runs, you're going to strike out. And that is cool."

Insight: Experimentation is part of the game, and failure is a natural part of innovation. Don’t let the fear of getting it wrong keep you from stepping up to the plate. Start small, take your at bats, and if you strike out, learn from it and move on. AI tools are scalable, which means you can start modestly and grow your efforts as you see results. The important thing is to keep swinging—you are guaranteed you won't hit a home run if you never take a swing.

10. "Flying’s going to get very, very expensive. One of the big megatrends in travel will be traveling closer to home."

Insight: Rising costs are going to make local experiences more attractive. Small and medium-sized travel companies should position themselves to capture this shift by offering unique, hyper-local experiences that are easy to reach. AI can help you understand what local experiences resonate with your audience, allowing you to adjust your offerings to match traveler expectations. Whether it’s a curated weekend getaway or a personalized day trip itinerary, being ready for the shift to local is key.


These ten quotes from Erik Blachford and Chris Hemmeter at the Phocuswright Conference highlight both the urgency and the opportunity facing travel companies today. AI isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a transformative force that can help businesses improve efficiency, personalize customer experiences, and adapt to major trends like the rise in local travel. The opportunity is there, but it requires action—small, calculated risks that will help you stay in the game, keep experimenting, and ultimately, thrive in a new era of travel.

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