TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 will take place in Seville from 23 to 25 October. The summit will feature all the technologies that can transform the tourism industry and help solve some of the most important challenges, such as understanding the new traveller, sustainability and digitalisation.
Over three days, experts and tourism leaders will take to the stage at the Tourism Innovation Global Summit to analyze how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data is transforming the way tourists plan, experience and enjoy their trips. These technologies enable companies in the industry to deliver more personalized, efficient and satisfying services by analysing large amounts of data based on new consumer preferences.
This will be the case of Bruno Halle, Partner and Co-Director of the Hotels sector at Cushman & Wakefield, who will present the latest developments in the sector. The International Federation of IT, Travel and Tourism (IFITT), together with representatives from the Valencian Community Tourist Board, will also present examples of AI applications in the tourism sector and its use in public administration. Dolores Ordóñez, Vice President of GaiaX and General Manager of AnySolution, will analyze the European Tourism Data Space initiative as one of the keys to stimulating the growth of the sector.
Extended Reality (XR) technologies, a combination of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR), will also be featured at the TIS2024 conference, with speakers discussing how these technologies are revolutionizing the way tourism destinations are promoted. These immersive technologies offer new ways to capture the attention of potential visitors, providing interactive and enriching experiences that go beyond traditional marketing tools.
Meanwhile, CIOs from hotel groups such as AR Hotels, Meliá, Palladium and Barceló will discuss their mobile-first strategies and how they are leveraging the integration of mobile technology to improve guest engagement in the hotel sector. Similarly, hotel executives from NH Hotel Group and Radisson will share how they are leveraging data analytics, demand forecasting and dynamic pricing algorithms to maximise revenue and profitability.
The use of green technologies to increase sustainability in the tourism sector will also be discussed by members of the International Hoteliers Circle (IHMC), whose groups include SIX Senses, RIU and Grupo Piñero.
Digitalization, Transparency and Cybersecurity
Blockchain in tourism contributes to increasing the transparency, security and efficiency of transactions. Blockchain allows creating an immutable and verifiable record of all transactions, from flight and hotel bookings to payments and rewards. The decentralization of these processes not only removes the need for intermediaries, reducing costs, but also streamlines operations and reduces the possibility of fraud – something that the members of the Alastria platform highlight, and which also takes on the challenge of transforming tourism through decentralization and digital ownership with WEB3 technology.
Digitalization of processes and operations in tourism is one of today’s great challenges. This transformation makes it possible to optimize efficiency, improve customer experience and reduce costs. Digital technologies such as reservation management systems, online payment platforms, mobile applications for destination management and big data analytics enable tourism companies to automate routine tasks, better manage resources and offer personalized services. In this sense, companies such as Ilunion Hotels show how digitalization drives informed decisions through real-time data analysis, improving responsiveness to market demands and customer preferences.
Another major concern for the industry is cybersecurity and data protection. These are essential for safeguarding travellers’ personal and financial information as well as maintaining the integrity and reputation of tourism companies. Implementing strong cybersecurity measures such as data encryption, multi-factor authentication and continuous network monitoring is crucial to prevent unauthorised access, fraud and security breaches. Additionally, complying with data protection regulations such as Europe’s GDPR can help ensure companies manage information ethically and transparently, strengthening customer trust in the digital tourism ecosystem.
