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letter from the publisher

Wayne Hansen, Senior Editor

THe NexT froNTier iN TrAvel: ArTificiAl iNTelligeNce
With the travel industry sitting at respond to specific questions or re- Artificial intelligence is changing
the forefront of technology adop- quests, and improve the relevance of the rules for the travel industry and
tion, we now sit on the cusp of responses over time. the ability to predict the behav-
artificial intelligence (AI) radically iour of travellers will unlock new
re-shaping the future of travel. The wealth of information that trav- revenue opportunities for travel
el companies possess, including players. Without a doubt, exciting
The travel industry has always been traveller profiles, activity history times are ahead within the travel
at the forefront of technological prog- and airline and hotel preferences industry and one should pay atten-
ress. Although artificial intelligence is make the travel industry well suit- tion so they will be at the forefront
still in its infancy, it is in our future. ed to AI. Many travel companies of this revolution.
Applying AI tools to travel data will are already using it to interact with
open up an abundance of oppor- travellers before, during and after
tunities to improve the traveller ex- their trips. talk travel
perience. As it develops, AI will help
simplify complex travel decisions, Artificial intelligence now repr- medIa
shorten the buying process and de- sents the next wave of technologic-
liver a more personalized offering. al innovation in the travel sector. gina Hansen, CTC, ECC
And by automating lower priority Whether it’s predicting travellers’ Publisher, Executive Editor
tasks, it will free up human travel preferences, personalizing a par- publisher@talktravel.ca
agents to add more value. ticular service, amending bookings,
or addressing last minute requests, Wayne Hansen, Publisher, Senior Editor
editor@talktravel.ca
Typically, in response to growing the power of the technology is
customer demands, the sector as a increasingly being deployed to daryl Cooper, asst. editor
whole has been more willing than smooth these processes and over- editor@talktravel.ca
most to embrace new innovations come any obstacles. Jana schweitzer
when it comes to technology. With Graphic Design
websites initially being used as the Once upon a time planning a holi- janaschweitzer00@gmail.com
primary means to engage customers, day meant that you had to actually
the rise of evolving mobile appica- leave your home and visit a travel John Kenchenten
tions is now the most popular and ef- agent. More daring travellers would Video Editing/Production
editor@talktravel.ca
fective way to ensuring organizations rely on word of mouth recommen-
stay connected with their customers dations or their ever trusty travel Will goosman
any time, any place, anywhere. guidebooks. Technology like high- IT Manager
speed internet disrupted these by- wgoosman@gmail.com
At its core, AI automates comput- gone ways and now AI is shaping up steve Klein
er processes to understand and to be just as disruptive. Computers Associate Editor/Director
mimic the human brain. While there performing tasks that would usually Business Development
CHINA - BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION
are many fields that comprise AI, require human intelligence is already steve@talktravel.ca CHINA - BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION
two that are commonly used for game-changing. But computers with James Corea
everyday applications are Natur- the ability to learn – with little to no Business Development
al language processing (NLP), and supervision – will bring automation james@talktravel.ca
Machine learning. NLP helps com- to a new level. Used in conjunction
puters understand human speech or with predictive analytics, machine suite 205 – 475 main street
Vancouver, bC, V6z 2T7
typing. Machine learning refers to learning, which is one subset of AI, Tel: 604-629-0877 fax: 604-629-0878
computer programs that learn from actively helps companies anticipate
new information or data without the future. For the travel industry, Talk Travel magazine is published monthly.
having to be explicitly programmed. this means serving travellers faster Canada Publications mail Product sales
agreement no. 4213851
Together, they enable computers to and better throughout their journey. Copyright 2013 Issn 1925-7449
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