Artificial intelligence in NRW tourism: opportunities and challenges
Artificial intelligence in NRW tourism: opportunities and challenges
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) faces major challenges, although many service providers in the industry are open to these new technologies. According to the current tourism barometer 2023, KI is not yet actively implemented in most cases, although there is definitely interest. In the digital landscape, however, it seems to be missing from practical applications, which applies especially to smaller providers.
A third of the companies in North Rhine -Westphalia has already dealt with the use of AI, but a significant number is faced with problems. The main reasons are lack of knowledge, financial restrictions and a lack of time resources. This is alarming when you consider that digitization is essential in the industry. The majority of the tourist companies are currently not bookable online, which significantly limits access for potential guests.
digital support from coaches
In order to counteract this deficit, the digital coaches project was launched. This offer, which was created in cooperation with the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) NRW and the NRW trade association, is intended to help in particular small and medium-sized companies to actively shape digital change.
The spread of technologies such as chatbots used in customer service, or digital travel assistants is also a strong motivation for the industry to face the challenges of digital transformation. For example, the chatbot "Visitkölngpt", which offers support to the employees of Cologne Tourismus GmbH by generating text suggestions for various media and target groups.
dr. Heike Döll-König, the managing director of an important association in the region, emphasizes the need for digitization for the future of the industry. It sees the use of digital technologies not only as a possibility of increasing efficiency, but also as an answer to the increasingly pressing shortage of skilled workers. "We are a human business, but that does not mean that we can do without technology," she explains, calling for greater openness to modern solutions.
In summary, it can be said that the path to the extensive use of AI in tourism in NRW is still stony. Although there is initial progress, there is a lot to do to raise the industry to the next digital level. Further information on the current developments can also be found to read here .
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