Artificial Intelligence applications entered the world of tourism, and everything is managed through a smartphone that does not leave the user’s hand throughout his day, making flights no longer start from the airport, but from the screen. And he made tourist cities come to us in our places, not to go to them. And the narratives of the image, to make an experience that affects the conscience before touching geography.
The tourist discourse moved from persuasion to inspiration; It no longer displays the features of the destination, but also provokes the curiosity of the user with emotional shots – a child laughing, a sunset – without mentioning the names of hotels or restaurants. These transformations are based on cognitive theories such as “Affective Modeling”, which prove that emotional content doubles its effect on the intentions of tourist behavior.
Today, artificial intelligence has become a fundamental tool, not only to understand the user, but to anticipate his desires and analyze his digital behavior with extreme accuracy, from his interactions with the pictures to the timing of stopping on a specific video. Accordingly, “detailed” tourist campaigns are designed that meet the deepest desires of the audience: whoever yearns for calm will be shown to lakes, and whoever yearns for life is shown on markets and celebrations.
On the other hand, the short content is no longer superficial; Rather, it has become the key to influence. Sections of no more than 30 seconds on Tiktok or YouTube Shorts may outperform propaganda brochures, thanks to their sincerity and narration close to reality. For example, a video of a girl who takes tea in the courtyard of a house that may stimulate the desire to travel more than one official announcement.
Also, the concept of “influencer” changed. Digital fame is no longer sufficient, but rather retreated in front of the local influencers who honestly transfer their experiences, which enhances confidence and links the public to the place. Even the tourist is no longer looking for the place, but also for the emotional value and the experience he will carry with him.
Today, smart campaigns seek to market sustainable, experimental and spiritual tourism, such as the experience of living with tribes or meditation in nature, as a deep marketing message is embodied in one form.
Finally, it is no longer required to serve traditional customers, but rather a living presence and immediate interaction. Live broadcast or a quick response to a comment that may build a tourist loyalty that exceeds thousands of dollars in advertisements.
The trips have started from the heart and are narrated through the screen, and travel is no longer just a geographical transmission, but rather has become a deep emotional experience, and the means of communication have become the mirror through which we see cities … and even see ourselves.
* PhD in digital media
