Students from tourism clubs across Secondary schools in Tobago were encouraged to explore ways to develop the industry using the latest technology and artificial intelligence.
This was the topic of discussion during a Tourism Technology and Innovation Summit hosted by the Division of Tourism, Antiquities and Creative Industries.
According to Technical Advisor to the Office of the Chief Secretary, Joshua Powder, artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, including tourism, with visitors increasingly relying on prompts offered by various AI services to determine which destination they should visit next.
But he said Tobago is being left behind.
“We have the data in Tobago, and when I say data, Tobago is rich with experiences. It’s rich with culture; it’s rich with, as we say, vibe, but really and truly it isn’t that we have a lack of data. It is that the data tends to be not that connected.”
Mr Powder explained that detailed information regarding Tobago as a destination and what it has to offer is not available for AI models.
“We have not connected the dots in order for AI to see us as a full picture, far less for other persons who are interacting with AI to see us.”
Mr Powder wants students who are exploring future careers in tourism to consider ways they can use technology to ensure algorithms recognise Tobago among the world’s top destinations.
“What we really have to do is ensure that we get Tobago online, the right data of Tobago online, the culture of Tobago, the experiences that we need to tap into, and the right information online so that AI could see us better.”
And Secretary of Tourism, Antiquities and Creative Industries Zorisha Hackett encouraged students to ensure Tobago maintains its uniqueness in whatever form of technology it is being marketed on.
“The smartest tourism is tourism that puts technology to work for people. And as we explore AI, let us bring our own intelligence into it too: our judgement, our imagination, and our sense of responsibility.”
At the Tourism Technology and Innovation Summit, students were exposed to opportunities in animation, drone technology, virtual reality, AI tools and more. They were also exposed to information regarding cybersecurity and encouraged to develop their own technological ideas for solutions within the tourism industry.