The World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 Ministers Summit, hosted in partnership with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), placed the spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative force in tourism. Gathering tourism ministers from over 20 countries and top executives from companies like Expedia, HBX Group, JTB Corp, and SITA, the summit emphasized the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock AI’s full potential in tourism.
UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona opened the summit, advocating for AI-driven decision-making in marketing, destination promotion, and personalized travel experiences. “Tourism has the ability to create unique stories,” Bayona noted, emphasizing the role of AI in fostering digital infrastructure and enhanced visitor engagement through hyper-personalization. She stressed the importance of integrating AI with human insight to drive impactful transformation within the sector.
Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, highlighted the opportunities that lie ahead despite global challenges such as climate change. In 2023, the tourism sector contributed nearly $10 trillion to the global economy, supporting over 330 million jobs, a figure expected to grow in 2024. Simpson emphasized that through close cooperation, the travel and tourism industry can leverage AI to create a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future.
UN Tourism’s “AI for Good in Tourism” Strategic Roadmap
The summit marked the launch of UN Tourism’s “AI For Good in Tourism” Strategic Roadmap, outlining several key focus areas:
- Research: UN Tourism is conducting in-depth research on AI’s impact on tourism, with upcoming publications like “Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Tourism” (in partnership with Saxion University) offering guidance for sector stakeholders. A comprehensive AI adoption analysis is also planned for 2025 to assess global challenges and opportunities.
- Education and Workforce Development: Recognizing that AI is reshaping tourism jobs, UN Tourism will enhance its Tourism Online Academy with 10 new AI-focused courses to support upskilling and reskilling efforts, helping professionals adapt to new roles within an AI-driven industry.
- Investment in Innovation: The summit underscored the critical need for investment in AI. UN Tourism is now prioritizing non-traditional investment models to strengthen the tourism startup ecosystem and exploring AI insights to optimize funding strategies for new and existing businesses.
- Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurs: Through workshops, partnerships, and dedicated programs, UN Tourism aims to empower startups and established businesses with the tools and skills to implement advanced technologies in tourism operations, enabling a tech-driven future.
- Global Task Force on AI Terminology: UN Tourism launched a new task force to standardize AI terminology in tourism, bringing together experts from across its regions to create a universal language that will foster clarity and ease of understanding for stakeholders worldwide.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili praised the initiative, stating, “By combining the abilities of the public and private sectors, we can ensure AI lives up to its massive potential,” and emphasized that the roadmap is a critical step toward securing a sustainable and future-ready tourism industry.
UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge
Reinforcing its commitment to innovation, UN Tourism announced the UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge at the summit. The challenge seeks AI-driven solutions that can shape tourism’s future across areas like branding, marketing, education, and operational efficiency. Regional awards and capacity-building programs, developed with partners like CAF, the Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, will further support AI innovation.
As WTM 2024’s Ministers Summit concluded, UN Tourism reinforced the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that AI’s benefits reach all players, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and emerging destinations. Through strategic partnerships, research, and a dedication to innovation, the summit positioned AI as a cornerstone of tourism’s evolution toward a resilient and thriving future.
