In today’s complex landscape, the travel industry has unprecedented opportunities to evolve. With so much uncertainty, companies are turning to AI-powered travel risk management tools to keep running smoothly and handle unexpected challenges without facing extra costs or delays.

Climate change adds a new layer of complexity to travel intelligence, with increased natural disasters, such as wildfires, hurricanes and floods. AI’s predictive capabilities are invaluable here, as they can analyse past and current data to forecast potential disruptions. However, human expertise remains vital for interpreting these predictions and advising clients accurately.

How media monitoring tools can enhance travel intelligence

Media monitoring tools have become essential assets in travel risk management. Powered by advanced algorithms and machine learning, these tools can track global events in real-time, scanning a vast array of news sources, social media channels, government alerts and even weather reports.

With AI, they can quickly analyse large amounts of information to spot patterns and early warnings that may not be immediately clear for humans. This timely information allows travel managers and operators to adjust their plans, communicate effectively with clients and ensure their safety, ultimately improving the overall travel experience.

However, media monitoring comes with limitations that must be acknowledged. Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), has been essential in providing immediate updates, but it presents a challenge in balancing speed with accuracy. With a major lack of moderation on X, AI monitoring tools must rely more on verifiable sources and human expertise to ensure updates remain reliable.

Human and AI collaboration for precision

The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that travel and tourism will employ around 348 million people globally by the end of 2024, a figure that surpasses the population of the United States. This data suggests that the notion of AI completely replacing humans in the workforce may be more myth than reality.

While AI can aid us in sifting through vast amounts of data, its true potential is unlocked when combined with human expertise. AI tools are exceptional at identifying risks based on patterns and trends, but humans add context, judgement, and critical thinking—qualities that remain irreplaceable in the world of travel risk management. Consider, for example, a political unrest alert in a destination like Thailand. While AI can flag that a demonstration has turned violent, human experts must interpret the level of threat, understand local context and assess whether this will have a broader impact on travellers.

See the full article in Travel Weekly.