It was not until Chad Burt of Outside Agents suggested we do an interview about his company’s use of AI (watch for his interview in an upcoming episode of our Pins In The Map podcast) that I started to realize the potential it has for the travel industry, and publishing, for that matter. 

With this newfound knowledge and curiosity about AI, I decided to use Openai.com to “write” a few of the articles in this issue. I also used it to “write” the remainder of this Pub Page. It should be noted that AI is not infallible. It does make mistakes and needs to be carefully fact checked. However, it produces amazing results and can be a substantial time saver. For instance, this Publishers Page usually takes me half a day to research and write. 

The article below was generated by AI in under 30 seconds!

So lets jump into it. I made this simple query into openai.com: ”Write an article about how travel agents can benefit from AI.”

Here is what it wrote:

The travel industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the rise of online booking platforms and the emergence of new technologies. One technology that has the potential to transform the industry is artificial intelligence (AI). Travel agents can benefit from AI in several ways, including improving efficiency, enhancing the customer experience, and optimizing pricing and inventory management strategies.

Improved Efficiency

One of the most significant benefits of AI for travel agents is improved efficiency. AI-powered tools can automate repetitive tasks, such as data analysis and customer support, freeing up time for travel agents to focus on more complex and value-added services. For example, chatbots can provide instant responses to customer inquiries and provide round-the-clock support, reducing the workload on travel agents.

Another benefit of AI for travel agents is the ability to enhance the customer experience. AI can analyze a traveler’s preferences, past bookings, and other data to provide personalized travel recommendations that are tailored to their individual needs. This can increase customer loyalty and satisfaction, as well as differentiate travel agents from online booking platforms.

Competitive Intelligence

AI can monitor and analyze pricing and inventory data from competitors to provide insights into market trends and competitive pricing strategies. This information can help travel agents adjust their pricing and inventory management strategies accordingly, enabling them to remain competitive in the market.

When I queried if AI was a threat to Travel Advisors it said “AI is not necessarily a threat to travel agents, but it can be disruptive to the industry. While AI can automate some aspects of travel planning and booking, it cannot replace the personalized service and expertise that travel agents provide.” Well said!