Like any new technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has come onto the scene and caused quite a bit of uproar. You may already be familiar with Chat GPT, but now there are also travel-focused AI platforms that can help individuals plan their own itineraries. There’s no doubt about it, AI is reshaping the travel industry!

Grace McBride, founder of Lucia, joined the show to discuss the role of AI, as well as her thoughts on it actually changing the roles of travel advisors. Should we fear this new technology? Will it replace the modern travel advisor?

How AI Is Shaping Administrative Assistance

Virtual Assistants (VAs) play a crucial role in helping businesses delegate tasks and increase productivity. With the assistance of AI technology, VAs can now optimize their workflow and accomplish more in less time. From generating captions and researching destinations to compiling digital itineraries and beyond, VAs can now streamline their tasks, saving both time and resources. Lucia, for instance, takes pride in leveraging this technology to boost efficiency, benefiting both VAs and their advisors.

Planning For Destinations That Are New To You

AI technology can be a game-changer when it comes to planning unfamiliar destinations. Prior to engaging with your chosen Destination Management Company (DMC), you can create potential outlines and seek their insights via email, either before or after the intake call. Armed with this information, you can approach intake calls with confidence, as you have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. AI can even provide recommendations for sites to visit, dining options, and hotels, making the planning process even more seamless.

Creating Marketing & Website Copy For Your Brand

AI technology proves to be an invaluable tool for creating copy that aligns with your brand’s tone and style, particularly for websites and marketing materials. By training AI models with samples of your existing copy and brand guidelines, you can ensure that the generated content reflects your brand identity and maintains consistency across all communications. Whether you need captivating captions or website copy, AI can assist with shaping the formatting and messaging to suit your needs.

While AI can aid in generating copy, it’s important to note that human review and editing are essential to ensure the final output aligns with your brand identity. By combining AI technology with your own brand expertise, you can create compelling, on-brand copy that enhances brand recognition and effectively connects with your target audience.

Managing Expectations & Pushing Back On Client Behaviors

AI can prove invaluable in managing client expectations and addressing challenging situations. By training AI models with information about different client scenarios, they learn to recognize and understand when pushback is required. AI can generate appropriate responses tailored to the specific context, allowing you to address client concerns or manage unrealistic expectations with clarity and professionalism. The AI can suggest polite and professional language for crafting pushback scripts, offering alternative solutions, explaining limitations, and providing persuasive reasoning. This helps you respond constructively to clients while maintaining a positive client relationship and setting realistic expectations. You can even guide the AI platform by specifying the desired level of formality or length for the response.

Growing Your Team

When it comes to expanding your team, AI can simplify the hiring process. By entering the job description, AI algorithms can provide you with a thorough outline that aligns with your requirements. While some coaching prompts or tweaks may be necessary, AI can quickly scan the internet for comparable job descriptions, enabling you to create a job posting that attracts the right candidates for external assistance.

But Will AI Replace The Travel Advisor?

AI technology may enhance and automate certain aspects of a travel advisor’s job, but it cannot replace the essential role they play. While AI can assist with tasks like research, itinerary planning, and data analysis, the human touch and expertise of a travel advisor are irreplaceable. Travel advisors provide personalized recommendations, deep industry knowledge, and a level of empathy and understanding that AI cannot replicate. They offer the ability to understand clients’ unique preferences, handle complex situations, and provide tailored guidance based on individual needs. Ultimately, the human element of trust, creativity, and the ability to build meaningful connections ensures that travel advisors will continue to be invaluable in delivering exceptional service and creating unforgettable travel experiences.