From October 23 to 25, the new edition of TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit will bring together CIOs and IT experts from companies such as AR Hotels, Vueling, Catalonia Hotels or Renfe.
MADRID – Technology plays a key role today in optimizing the operations of tourism businesses and destinations and improving the customer experience. In this context, the new edition of TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 (TIS2024), to be held October 23-25 in Seville, Spain, will bring together CIOs and IT managers from companies such as AR Hotels, Vueling, Catalonia Hotels, Renfe, Ilunion Hotels, and Lopesan, among others, to discuss and learn about the latest trends and technological innovations for the tourism industry. Thus, the CIO’s Summit agenda will address how AI, big data and digitalization can redefine the future of tourism.
One of the most prominent debates of this edition will be the case of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will analyze the lessons learned from planning a massive event such as the Olympic Games. From infrastructure management to cross-sector collaboration, the Paris Olympic Games leaves a clear roadmap for optimizing the organization of future major events, supported by advanced digital infrastructures that benefit not only the organizers, but also the travelers and host communities.
AI, tourism data spaces and cybersecurity
In another context, the CIO’s Summit will also address the power of data and AI to define the future of tourism. Dolores Ordóñez, vice president of Gaia-X; Olga Preveden, Project Manager of Data & Innovation at the Austrian National Tourist Office; Cristina Núñez, Strategy Director at NECSTouR; and Misa Labarile, tourism policy officer at the European Commission, will analyze the regulations that are shaping the use of AI in Europe and discuss the challenges in creating a tourism data space, essential to understanding how emerging technologies will transform travelers’ experiences and improve operational efficiency across the industry.
However, as technologies advance, so do some risks, and the travel industry is not exempt from them. One of these is cybersecurity concerns, especially in an industry that handles large volumes of sensitive data, such as travelers’ personal and financial information. David Alonso, Cybersecurity Consultant at Telefónica Tech, will address at TIS2024 the importance of cybersecurity and the consequences that failures can have, such as loss of customer confidence or economic or reputational damage to the brand.
Artificial Intelligence at the service of sustainability and tourism management
No less important is sustainability and this will be highlighted by Edoardo Colombo, president of AI Associazione Italiana per l’Intelligenza Artificiale nel Turismo; Feliks Kasmi, CEO of Cientouno Group; and Lucía Martínez, CIO of AR Hotels. They will all discuss how AI and Big Data analytics are revolutionizing resource management in hospitality. They will also offer their vision of how technology can be an essential tool to drive sustainable practices, from predicting energy demands to optimizing resource use, which not only improves efficiency but also the environmental responsibility of the industry.
In the field of strategic management, operations and marketing, experts such as Nina Colarić Cvirn, Head of Social Media at Slovenian Tourist Board; and Francisco Nogueira, Country Lead Iberia and LATAM at HiJiffy, will delve at TIS2024 into how artificial intelligence not only transforms sustainability and efficiency, but also revolutionizes strategic management and personalized marketing campaigns. AI tools enable organizations to improve real-time decision-making, fine-tune their operations and design tailored customer experiences, ensuring a more personalized and effective approach to engaging travelers.
In addition, it should be noted that technological innovation also extends to more specific areas within hotel management. An example is the transformation of the management of gastronomic services in hotels because of digitalization. Given that gastronomy is a sector with tight margins, technology is presented as a key ally to optimize processes, reduce costs and improve profitability, offering total control over operations management, as will be explained during TIS2024 by Esteban Sedano, SVP Hotel Operations of PortAventura World; and Marga Juan, Senior Project Manager of Barceló Hotel Group.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
