At the 2024 Adventure Travel World Summit in Panama, Alan Elliott Merschen, a prominent industry figure and Strategic Advisor to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Board of Directors, shared his insights during a keynote presentation titled “20 Predictions for the Next 20 Years of Travel.” Merschen's extensive background encompasses academia, international travel marketing, and innovation in tourism through TheSigmundProject.org.
In his presentation, Merschen explored key transformative trends that are set to reshape the travel industry, drawing on a wealth of research and decades of experience. His analysis included the impact of emerging technologies, the role of artificial intelligence (AI), demographic shifts, and the increasing global interconnectivity that characterises today's world.
Merschen's predictions provide an intriguing challenge to established norms within the travel sector and aim to offer strategic guidance for navigating the complexities that lie ahead. He emphasised the importance of adapting to these changes, as they will significantly influence business practices and customer expectations in the coming years.
Additionally, at the conference, ATTA members were introduced to an AI-powered platform called Sigmund's RFP HUB, which is designed to streamline the process of finding new business within the travel and tourism sector. This platform organises a comprehensive database of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) by deadline and scope, facilitating the search for potential clients or contracts. ATTA members can take advantage of a discounted rate for the first year of access, promoting greater engagement with innovative tools that leverage AI to enhance business operations.
The insights shared by Merschen and the resources offered to ATTA members reflect a broader trend towards embracing advanced technologies to drive efficiency and adaptability in the travel industry as it evolves over the next two decades.
Source: Noah Wire Services