In 2016, Dr. Phil Xiang co-wrote a prescient academic paper on the then-emerging concept of “smart tourism.” I use the word “prescient” because it foresaw the complex future we are now living in. The fabric of the tourism industry has evolved, reshaping how experiences are created, exchanged…
Jason Kirby, a reporter for The Globe and Mail, wrote, “In the fall of ‘22, a remarkable innovation burst onto the scene with the power to reshape the world that has kickstarted the next great productivity boom.” Kirby pointed out that in less than two years since artificial intelligence (AI)…
In today’s ever-evolving and demanding travel landscape, now more than ever destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are testing the boundaries of the conventional DMO role and function with new and innovative projects. The fact that they now have free electric taxis in Bellevue, Washington, may…
In 2020, Elisa Mameli was fresh out of her studies for her Master’s Degree in Strategic Tourism Management and Marketing and working as a Brand Ambassador for Your Sardinia Experience. By December 2020, the global travel industry ground to a halt, and in her own words, “That is when I became…
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Sustainability. Engagement. One of these things is not like the others. EDI and sustainability. Both of these were on the radar of most destination organizations seven years ago. But to be clear, in 2017, EDI was focused on displaying diversity in marketing…
