Mixing Artificial Intelligence and Travel Agents and 9 Digital Trends This Week

Dan Peltier

May 14th, 2016 at 3:00 PM EDT

Photo Credit: The Lola app. Lola Travel / Lola Travel

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These are the digital trends we were talking about this week.

Every week we post hundreds of stories across various sectors in travel, connecting the dots across various global trends, and in these weekend posts we highlight the stories that tackle these trends. This one looks at top digital trends. For all of our trends roundups, go here. >>Everyone else wants to cut travel agents out. Lola wants to deal them in: Lola’s Booking Exp

Cruises

The Alaska Experiment That Could Reshape How Cruise Lines Navigate Wildlife

Alaska’s reputation as a bucket list cruise destination rests largely on its wildlife encounters, especially whale sightings. MSC Cruises is treating its first season in the region as a research opportunity, exploring how marine science can guide operations in high-density wildlife corridors.

MSC Cruises + Skift | 1 week ago

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky Is Creating an AI Lab

Is Brian Chesky development of a new AI Lab outside of Airbnb an acknowledgement that building AI capabilities within Airbnb hasn't been up to par? Or are some tech developments like AI too large to sit out without having more skin in the game?

Dennis Schaal | 2 hours ago

Tourism

The U.S.’ Own Goal: Why World Cup Expectations Deflated

World Cup host cities were promised a once-in-a-generation tourism surge. The lift is real, but some cities’ results are well below expectations.

Bailey Schulz | 8 hours ago

Hotels

Why Hotel AI Keeps Cutting Costs Instead of Making Money

AI can't sell what hotel systems can't see. Until room-level data, guest behavior, and service pricing live in one connected system, the industry's AI gains will stay stuck on the cost efficiency side of the ledger.

Adriana Lee | 9 hours ago

Tourism

Canada Is Looking for a New Caribbean. Most Destinations Are Not Ready to Be Found

Canada's three winter sun standbys — the U.S., Cuba, and Mexico — are all in trouble at the same time. The Caribbean has never had a better opening. Most destinations are not ready to walk through it.

Oliver Martin and Emilie Ehrman | 9 hours ago

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Mixing Artificial Intelligence and Travel Agents and 9 Digital Trends This Week

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