The Technological and Sustainable Revolution Transforms the Future of Travel Agencies at TIS2024

Travel agencies and tour operators live immersed in an environment where their adaptation to an increasingly digitised market and their ability to offer personalised and environmentally friendly experiences are essential for their future. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to adopt technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data or 'mobile-first' strategies, among others, to help them overcome these challenges. The new edition of Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 (TIS), which will take place from October 23 to 25 in Seville, Spain, will bring together executives from Trip.com, TripAdvisor, TUI, Civitatis, Intrepid Travel, Tuzmo, Reinvención Viajera, Local Secrets, Wheel the World, Julià Tours, Sasane Sisterhood, among others, to analyse the tools and strategies needed to successfully navigate this new scenario, maintaining their competitiveness and relevance in an ever-changing global market.

In the specialised agenda that TIS2024 has prepared for travel agencies and tour operators, the use and application of technologies such as AI and Big Data will be one of the main topics. Thus, experts such as Mercedes Sánchez (TripAdvisor), Guillem Gisbert (Trip.com), and Oliver Benalal (Hesperia World), will share how to take advantage of these technologies to offer products more tailored to the individual preferences of travellers, improving the customer experience and optimising operations.

In this regard, executives from different segments of the travel industry, such as Raul Alvarez (Radisson Hotel Group), Julie Gregoire (MSC Cruises), Andy Washington (Trip.com) and Inmaculada Martinez-Ruiz (Ilunion Hotels), will explore leadership strategies in tourism. They will emphasise the importance of fostering customer-centric cultures, thus improving the sector's competitiveness.

The need to implement mobile-first strategies is also very relevant in this digital transformation environment that the tourism industry is experiencing. Through case studies, TIS2024 will offer an in-depth look at how digitisation changes how travel agencies and tour operators interact with their customers, allowing for more personalised attention and generating new business opportunities. Also, at a time of profound digital transformation with the rise of online bookings and digital transactions, TIS2024 will address cybersecurity strategies to help travel agencies and tour operators understand how to protect their customers' data and ensure a secure and reliable booking experience.

However, all these new tools, practices and strategies must be geared towards one of the industry's premises: sustainability. The focus is increasingly being placed not only on environmental sustainability but also on social sustainability. In this sense, José Manuel Lastra (CEAV-Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies), Florencia Allo Moreno (Intrepid Travel), Rana Saad (Tuzmo) and Isabel María Atienza (Reinvención Viajera) will examine the social impact of tourism for local communities and how it can drive positive change in them, showcasing successful projects and partnerships that empower local communities, preserve cultural heritage and foster inclusive growth.

In this way, TIS2024 is a real meeting point for travel agencies and tour operators to establish strategic alliances and explore collaborations with technology companies, destinations and suppliers to boost their business through key synergies. The event will provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary to adapt to a constantly evolving industry, where technology, sustainability and personalisation are key factors for future success.