Recently was celebrated the world tourism day. What is so very special about it? Is not it celebrated every year? Are these your questions? Well, look at the theme statement this year. Invasion of the AI, it proves yet again.
The official theme of the 'Tourism Day 2026' is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” Its key focus area is integrating the AI in to the travel experience! It explores how artificial intelligence and digital tools shape travel, planning, and visitor experiences. No wonder "smart destination management", that is, using data to manage crowds, ease communication, and support sustainable practices is the sub-theme!
Well, the sub-theme could be the need of the industry. But why should the AI shape the individual experience? To an extent, yes, because sitting at home, through the AI, you can travel beyond the space, too! Yet why should the technology decide destinations, decisions as it is vitiated by the show-off madness, eh?
Which is the best destination? I would say that it is absolutely subjective and truly individual oriented. At times, it could be a quiet weekend back in the fields that once belonged to your grandpa, but which you sold off to buy that swanky flat in the city.
At times, it could be spent in the diminishing- by-the-decade light with which the fireflies illuminate the forest. A weekend at a fort soaked in the rains and sailing off the monsoon winds can energise. Listening to the deep rumble of the ocean prefarably on a full moon night can calm all the tension tempests, right?
Why should the AI determine the destination(s)? If such an invasion by the ever increasing AI influence is allowed, the already swollen- beyond-tolerance touristy destinations would plain crumble, collapse, nay, literally cave in.
Let me give you an example. Kedarnath can be the ultimate dream destination, even if you are an atheist, believe me. The very aura of that space is unique. If the AI starts promoting it, the chaotic crowds, already beyond control, would be such that the mythical Nal and Neel mountains would hasten to meet fast and block the entry entirely.
The AI should not, in brief, invade that small little private space which it is anyways shrinking by the second. The Best Destination hence has to be not what the technology dictates, but to what the individual heart and soul aspire. Only then can tourism go beyond monetary mindsets, and become a travel the soul celebrates!
Pratima@ At times, the best weekend destination can be the old photo albums that bring back memories dimmed due to the daily rush of the routine. No exotic destination can match such nostalgia, celebrated with some great music, superb coffee and the company you care for and will continue to covet!
Quote of the day: "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." says Henry Miller.
Word of the day: tourism Tourism is defined as the commercial activity of providing travel, accommodation, and services for people traveling outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes.
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