The Tourism AI Podcast

Peter Pilarski and Kendel launch Tourism AI Network’s new news-round format, breaking down the week’s most important AI stories for destination marketers and travel innovators. From ChatGPT-style AI agents that can book trips for your guests, to NVIDIA’s digital-twin “smart city” blueprint , to South Africa’s instant AI-powered visas , this episode shows how fast tech is reshaping visitor experien...

Dive into the latest episode of the Tourism AI Podcast as Peter Pilarski sits down with Kendall, AI Adoption Manager at Tourism AI Network, to explore the evolution of AI in tourism. Learn why simplifying tools and processes is critical, how one-on-one “intuition sprints” fast-track adoption, and the bold vision behind TAIN’s upcoming reporting automation tool. Whether you’re just scratching the s...

Can a two-and-a-half-person DMO out-perform organisations ten times its size? Absolutely—when AI is your secret teammate. Episode summary:In this Tourism AI Network Podcast, host Peter Pilarski interviews Gerardo Corro, Tourism New Westminster Executive Director, about deploying a visitor-facing chatbot, cultivating a human-in-the-loop mindset, and preparing for AI agents that automate board repor...

Google just blew the doors off generative AI at I/O 2025 🤯 Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo/Flow video and true AI agents could save tourism ops 1,000+ staff hours this year. In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast, Peter Pilarski & Juan Correa unpack what it means for DMOs, hotels and travel brands. ⏱️ QUICK CHAPTERS 00:00 Hook & why you should care 01:10 Gemini 2.5 recap – paused reasoning & F...

Can’t hire fast enough? Agentic systems—AI-powered “digital employees” can shoulder sales follow-up, inbox triage, social media and even itinerary design for a fraction of today’s costs. In this Tourism AI Podcast episode, host Peter Pilarski talks with Jesse Anglen (CEO, Rapid Innovation) about building agentic workflows that solve tourism’s labour crunch without compromising high-touch service....

Professor Lian Dumouchel reveals how she leveraged generative AI to create The Marketing Map , a free, Canada-specific tourism marketing textbook, in just eight weeks. We examine: AI as a research assistant that compresses months of work into days Using synthetic personas and data to validate new travel products Tactics to overcome staff resistance and prove ROI fast Three action items you can pil...

AI agents aren’t science fiction anymore—they’re creeping into search, customer service, and even itinerary planning. Peter Pilarski and Josh Huston unpack where agentic AI really stands in April 2025 and why tourism organizations must start preparing today. Expect candid insights on data hygiene, SOPs, and the coming wave of vertical, tourism‑specific agents that will let small teams punch above...

Join Peter Pilarski, Founder of the Tourism AI Network, as he sits down with Chapman Shaw of Indigenous Tourism British Columbia to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and Indigenous cultural stewardship. In this candid conversation, you’ll hear how Chapman is navigating his AI journey—from experimenting with AI note-taking tools to building a custom GPT trained on distinctions-bas...

Tourism’s data mess is real—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Peter talks with Ryan Malcolm (Director of Business Development, Tourismo) about building a single source of truth for destinations and using AI to lighten the load on small teams. Topics include: Tourismo’s origin story and “rise‑all‑ships” vision Using AI to auto‑create business listings, tag media, and suggest new content O...

In this episode of the Tourism AI Network Podcast , we’re live from the BC Tourism Industry Conference with a trio of inspiring voices shaping the future of tourism in Canada—from community development and AI adoption to real-world business operations. 🌐 Lisa from Tourism Kamloops shares her journey with AI—from initial hesitation to making it a dinner-table topic with her kids. She dives into ho...

Join us for an enlightening chat with Arin from Okanagan College as she shares her first-hand experience using AI responsibly—both in the classroom and beyond. Discover why AI literacy is crucial for tomorrow’s tourism leaders, how students self-police proper AI usage in group projects, and why open dialogue between industry veterans and digital-savvy newcomers drives true innovation. If you’re ex...

Ever wonder how a small destination marketing organization can harness the power of AI to streamline workflows and enhance visitor engagement? In this episode, we sit down with Destination Marketing Manager Carly Brkich from Tourism Chilliwack to discover how her team embraced AI tools—from custom GPTs for marketing copy to automated processes for HR and operations. Carly shares the real-world cha...

Join us as we sit down with Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (#TIABC), for an in-depth conversation on how conferences, policy advocacy, and emerging #AI tools are transforming the #TourismIndustry and #Hospitality sectors. Discover why face-to-face gatherings remain crucial for building relationships, learn about key policy hurdles affecting tourism business...

Breaking down large language models (LLMs) vs. reasoning models. The truth about AI agents – what’s hype and what’s real? How businesses can structure AI projects for success.  

Join industry leaders Peter Pilarski and Andreas Mueller-Schubert as they dive into the future of tourism in 2025. In this podcast episode, learn how AI is transforming destination marketing, boosting operational efficiency, and personalizing customer experiences. Discover actionable strategies for overcoming common challenges, integrating AI with legacy systems, and leading digital transformation...

How is AI transforming the tourism industry? And why does each generation adopt it differently? In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast , host Peter Pilarski dives into the generational divide in AI adoption with Kendel Lavallee (Millennial) and Juan Correa (Gen Z). 👨‍💼 Gen X leaders struggle with AI adoption but recognize its necessity. 👩‍💻 Millennials balance AI automation with strategic e...

🚀 Is your business chasing every new AI trend? In this episode of the Tourism AI Network Podcast , hosts Peter Pilarski and Josh Huston dive into the dangers of Shiny Object Syndrome in AI adoption. We discuss: ✅ Why businesses fall for AI hype ✅ The hidden costs and risks of constantly switching AI tools ✅ How to strategically integrate AI without disrupting your workflow ✅ The AI Adoption F...

Master AI Adoption: Simplify, Streamline & Succeed 🚀 In this episode of the Tourism AI Network Podcast , Peter Pilarski and Josh Huston break down AI adoption for tourism professionals, offering a no-nonsense approach to integrating AI effectively . If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the rapidly evolving AI landscape, this conversation is your roadmap to clarity and success. 🔹 What You’ll Le...

Are small tourism businesses overcomplicating AI adoption? In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast, hosts Peter Pilarski and Josh Houston uncover how small teams can embrace practical AI strategies to save time, streamline operations, and enhance customer experiences. From real-world examples to actionable advice, this episode cuts through the AI hype and focuses on results you can achieve today...

AI is transforming the tourism industry in 2025, but navigating the noise can be overwhelming. In this episode, Peter Pilarski and Josh Huston from Tourism AI Network share actionable tips for cutting through the hype and simplifying AI adoption. Discover how to focus on practical tools, empower your team, and achieve quick wins in your tourism business. 💡 Topics Covered: How to simplify AI adopt...

Navigating AI in 2025: Predictions and Practical Strategies for Tourism and BusinessIn the kickoff episode of 2025, hosts Josh Huston and Peter Pilarski of the Tourism AI Podcast delve into their predictions for the AI landscape and its implications for the tourism industry and businesses worldwide. Episode Highlights: Overcoming AI Overload: Strategies to cut through the overwhelming noise of AI...

It’s been one incredible year! 🎉 In this special milestone episode of the Tourism #AI #podcast, hosts Peter and Josh take you behind the scenes of our first 12 months at Tourism AI Network. From workshops and consultations to industry insights and discoveries, this past year has been a journey of learning, adapting, and helping #tourismprofessionals step into the future of artificial intelligence...

In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast, hosts Josh Huston and Peter explore the fascinating intersection of tourism and artificial intelligence. Shifting gears from their usual technical discussions, they embark on a fun challenge to test different AI models' abilities in creative writing by making four different tourism rap songs. Using prompt-based tasks, they evaluate outputs from Meta Llama...

In this episode of the Tourism AI Podcast, hosts Peter and Josh delve into the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the tourism industry. They discuss how effective information and data management, combined with well-defined SOPs, can significantly enhance AI adoption and efficiency. Highlighting their passion for HR and its critical ro...