UWI Five Islands Campus hosted AI Research Conference in Antigua, using tools to promote tourism

Antigua and Barbuda: The University of West Indies Five Islands Campus hosted the Caribbean’s first AI Research Conference and held significant discussions on the utilization of AI in the tourism industry. The conference ran for three days, effective from 8^th July 2024.

The main motive behind this conference was to bring together the brightest minds from the region and beyond to delve into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation opportunities and challenges for the Caribbean.

The Conference was moderated by the CEO of Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James. All the attendees of the event held a panel discussion and shared their views on the way the Artificial Intelligence can be used to promote tourism.

The panel featured several delegates including, The Minister of Tourism of Antigua and Barbuda, Charles Fernandez; the Chairman and CTO at Veilwatch, and Chairman, Hodges Bay Resort and Spa Limited, Jeff Wellemeyer and Senior Corporate Director Sandals Corporate University, Dr. Luz Longsworth.

All the panellists explored how AI is being used to improve marketing skills, enhance customer experiences, optimize service delivery, improve HR management and many more. The panellists also agreed that AI will elevate its offerings within the sector and also encouraged those who are working in the Tourism industry to understand the power of AI and its use in industry.

Notably, the AI conference was attended by representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority also. The representatives shed light on the benefits of the AI and the way is evolving the tourism landscape. They shared that AI is playing a huge role in reducing costs and improving service quality which has not only benefitted the companies but has also made travel more accessible and enjoyable for all the travellers.

They further noted that AI is aligning with the evolving expectations of modern travellers and are catering to all their needs and demands. The conference was also an innovative way of shedding light on the benefits of the AI and the steps which can be adopted by Antigua and Barbuda in order to foster its tourism offerings.