Recently, I attended a workshop on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to plan and implement festivals and events.
The facilitator asked the festival directors to highlight a challenge that they faced. One event planner shared that their town officials wanted to charge the festival committee for water, electricity, security and trash pickup. The festival had not been charged an impact fee in the 38 years it existed (an event that brings in 60,000 visitors and has a huge economic impact on the town). Now, the town wanted to recoup expenditures for this event. The event planner wanted to have a positive response to the town officials about this new impact fee.
The workshop facilitator typed the information into AI and within a minute, AI responded with a well-thought out, responsible answer in both paragraph and bullet points. As I listened to this presentation and saw the value of using AI, my wheels started turning. There is no doubt that AI could be used for a variety of purposes, including educational travel.
The educator could use AI to come up with a list of possible destinations to visit including highlights about each of those destinations to help the group decide where they wanted to visit. Once a destination was chosen, the educator could use AI to customize teaching about the destination for each participant. This would help students get personalized learning and discover more about the destination. If assignments (before or after the trip) were related to the travel destination, the teacher could provide real-time feedback to the students.
The University of San Diego highlighted 43 examples of Artificial Intelligence in Education that included behavioral management, parent-teacher communication, language learning, transportation, and safety and security. When planning travel, the educator could use AI to implement behavioral management that highlights tactics other educators using to discipline students on a trip.
Prior to and during the trip, AI can be used to keep parents informed about the trip details, trip highlights, and unexpected occurrences like flight delays. The teacher can rely on AI to make sure the correspondence is delivered with upbeat words that invite positive feedback. The students can practice learning new languages (if traveling to a foreign country), take quizzes and receive assessments on their progression through AI software.
Teachflow wrote an article about AI and School Travel and Tourism: Exploring the World. In the article, it stated, “AI has the potential to enhance every aspect of the travel experience. It enables them to explore different cultures, historical sites, and natural wonders, providing enriched learning experiences that go beyond the confines of traditional classrooms.” It further stressed that AI can be used in planning and booking personalized experiences, optimizing itineraries based on students’ interests and preferences.
Other information AI can provide includes cost-effective measures, flight availability, accommodations options, and local transportation. The Teachflow article summed up their article about the impact of AI in three key areas: (1) Enriched learning experiences (2) Increased efficiency in travel management and (3) Improved safety measurements that would benefit an educator who is leading a student trip.
There are some challenges, of course including infrastructure, data management and cost. Getting an AI account is free; however, the services provided are limited. Educators must have conversations with their school administrators to see if a paid account ($20-$40/mo.) is financially feasible.
Another key conversation between educators and school administrators is ethics. AI collects and analyzes personal information. Is this a violation of data privacy and security? What information is AI gathering that may violate FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts)? The teacher and school must weigh the pros and cons here.
In May 2024, USA Today surveyed 1,400 people to learn if they are open to or have previously used AI to plan their travel. 50% of those surveyed stated they have or planned to use AI for trip planning and listed AI as a major theme in the future of travel. Kayak, Expedia and other online travel tools already use AI whether you realize it or not.
No matter whether you are using ChapGPT, Guide Geek, Forgemytrip, Co-Pilot or something else entirely, you must make sure the information you receive is trustworthy and accurate. AI may be a good starting point to plan travel, but then follow up with a trusted source to verify the information.
Artificial intelligence is here to stay. It will never fully replace a qualified travel agent, but it can certainly be a helpful tool to supplement, prepare and brainstorm.
Written by Julie Beck for the November 2024 issue of Teach & Travel.
