GuideGeek AI

Every DMO/CVB leader is talking about AI to some degree, but there hasn't been much high-level direction for integrating AI platforms and processes specifically for CEOs. This post plants a flag in the ground for destination leaders moving forward with five questions that we as an industry need to answer to capitalize on the digital transformation of our time. Andrew Weir, president and CEO at Destination Toronto, and Richard W. Scharf, president at CEO at Visit Denver, helped vet these five key themes for developing AI strategy. Paula Port, vice president of global marketing at Destination Toronto, contributed as well. A ton of valuable insights in here. cc U.S. Travel Association Destinations International Janette Roush Cody Chomiak, CDME Signe Jungersted 喜娜 Justin Bresler Justin Dawes Al Hutchinson Tom Noonan

We are grateful for Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver, for letting us get in his head about how and why DMO CEOs should consider experimenting with AI. Royce explains, "We needed to adopt AI and remove the fear. We said use it. We’re going to make some mistakes, sure, but we just need to use it. You're not going to learn AI if you don't use AI." cc Stefan Hawes

We spoke with a dozen CEOs leading DMOs across North America about what they want to know to help them integrate AI into their organizations. Here's an overview of their feedback and general direction for how the travel industry should prioritize: 1) AI policy; 2) AI SEO and data/content development; 3) AI platforms for visitor and community engagement; 4) AI tools and processes for all departments and not just marketing; and 5) AI education and ongoing support for all staff.

?? GuideGeek-powered AI launches in its first airport ?? Flying into ONT airport in Southern California? Keep an eye out for these ads from?Discover Inland Empire?and scan the QR code to chat with "Joshua," your AI guide to all the Inland Empire has to offer (or try it now on?discoverie.com).

GuideGeek currently has 98% accuracy. But when we started, it was just 85%. How did we improve it so dramatically? Writing for?Crunchbase, Matador Network CTO?Stefan Klopp?describes how we used a process called reinforcement learning from human feedback that involved human travel experts reviewing over 1.5 million conversations by hand and our team training the AI to avoid common mistakes.

Meet Ellis, the first AI travel genius for business event professionals ?? ?? ?? GuideGeek powers this groundbreaking new tool from New York City Tourism + Conventions. Planning a meeting or conference in the Big Apple? ?? ?? ??? Let Ellis be your guide ?? https://lnkd.in/gtHC5e5N

The Inland Empire is really having a moment right now — it's one of those underrated gems that more and more travelers are starting to discover. “Joshua,”?Discover Inland Empire’s new AI powered by GuideGeek, can help you plan the perfect trip!???

Introducing Sandy ??? ?? Fort Lauderdale is the latest destination to launch a custom AI with GuideGeek. "We're excited to introduce Sandy as part of our commitment to delivering seamless, personalized experiences for all visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale,” says?Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of?Visit Lauderdale. “By embracing AI technology, we're making travel planning easier while keeping our destination at the forefront of innovation."

“The entire travel industry has simultaneously realized they need a solid AI strategy. GuideGeek has done the work, solved the problems, and boasts best-in-class tech. GuideGeek is the ‘easy button.’”

Skift?took a detailed look at the custom versions of GuideGeek we have created for DMOs all over the world. "The AI for DMOs is trained on content from each client website and prioritizes that content when answering questions,” writes?Justin Dawes. "On the back end, the DMOs can view how users are interacting with the chatbot, providing intel on traveler interests.” Check out the full story?here ?? :?https://lnkd.in/ehZKCcJT