A recent webinar organized by the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) in partnership with the TT Multistakeholder Advisory Group (TTMAG) examined the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in reshaping the Caribbean tourism industry. The virtual event, titled “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Future of Tourism,” brought together industry specialists, AI practitioners, and academic researchers to discuss digital innovation strategies.
Julie David, Acting President of NIHERST, emphasized the webinar’s objective to introduce AI concepts and their specific relevance to tourism while exploring practical applications across hospitality services, travel planning, customer engagement, and destination management. The initiative aimed to stimulate innovative thinking, encourage collaborative partnerships, and drive technological advancements that would strengthen the regional tourism sector.
Michael Ragoobar, NIHERST project assistant, delivered a keynote presentation followed by an expert panel discussion featuring prominent voices including tourism strategy specialist Dr. Auliana Poon, Incus Services Director of AI Leslie Lee Fook, TTMAG director Ajmal Nazir, and NIHERST research officers Ethan Blache and Mandela Sealy.
Participants gained comprehensive insights into strategic AI implementation opportunities, practical applications for tourism businesses and small-to-medium enterprises, emerging regional trends in AI adoption, and policy considerations for successful technology integration. TTMAG director Dev Gosine highlighted AI’s capacity to enhance visitor experiences through personalized recommendations, improve operational efficiency in construction and transportation, and enable data-driven destination management through predictive analytics.
Dr. Poon issued a compelling warning that traditional Caribbean tourism advantages centered on natural assets could become increasingly vulnerable without embracing technological innovation. The session concluded with interactive engagement between attendees and panelists exploring concrete AI applications for enhancing both visitor experiences and business operations. All participants received access to the webinar recording, summary documentation, and key insights.