The tourism and cultural consumption sectors are experiencing a significant shift towards inclusivity and personalization, powered largely by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). These technological enhancements aim to boost the efficiency of supply and demand within the industryIn recent months, numerous popular destinations in China have introduced AI travel assistants to aid visitors in itinerary planning and ticket purchasingMajor travel platforms have also launched AI-based models that cater to all stages of the travel experience—from pre-trip planning to in-transit real-time information, and finally to after-trip services—enriching the overall travel experience for usersExperts believe that with government support and ongoing technological developments, smart tourism will become a significant trend in the future of this sector.

The integration of smart technology into tourist venues is essential

A recent conversation with MsLiu, a tourist who recently visited Huangshan, illustrates this need perfectly: "The breathtaking scenery of Huangshan is enchanting, but crafting an itinerary was quite challenging." Covering an area of 1,200 square kilometers, Huangshan boasts 72 peaks, four main gates, and 81 travel routesMsLiu lamented, "Which attractions are must-sees? What is the most efficient way to conserve energy while exploring?" Many travelers, like Liu, resort to piecing together information from social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Weibo, but the fragmented nature of this data often requires a considerable investment of time and effort to compile a coherent travel plan.

AI technology serves as a solution to this quandaryThe Huangshan tourism board collaborated with Alipay to unveil an AI model specifically for this scenic areaThis intelligent assistant can assist travelers with real-time location-based recommendations for itineraries, commentary, taxi services, and vendor suggestions

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“The Huangshan smart assistant develops a personalized itinerary based on visitors' preferences, streamlining ticket purchasing and saving considerable time,” MsLiu elaboratedThis innovation reflects the intersection of technology and tourism, exemplifying how digital tools can be harnessed to improve the visitor experience.

In the words of Zhang Dehui, Chairman of Huangshan Tourism, "This is a significant product of the tourism-focused AI model, and it will expedite the process of digital transformation within the company." The landscape is changing rapidly, with more tourist spots embracing AI technologies to enhance visitor engagementFor instance, the Tengwang Pavilion now features an interactive virtual avatar named Wang Bo, serving as a judge for tourists who recite the famous poem "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng." Likewise, the ancient city of Quanzhou introduced a smart tourism mini-program including features such as AI-generated photography, route planning, and guided tours.

As travelers increasingly seek hassle-free experiences, certain travel platforms have begun capitalizing on their strengths in information integration to deploy AI projects that cater to user convenience

Recently, Vtrip Technology launched a model dubbed "VtripGPT." This AI integration extends to numerous travel applications, including Lepai.com and JinXiongMaoIts features encompass an AI strategy assistant, trip design capabilities, and smart fulfillment servicesThe AI strategy assistant not only aggregates high-quality existing information but also provides users with tailored destination guides through unique content creationBy combining various destination products, the AI trip design further enhances the experience of individual travelers.

"AI acts as a customizable travel planner, allowing more individuals to explore personalized itineraries,” said Hu Pengrui, co-founder and CTO of Vtrip Technology, in a conversation with China Securities JournalHe explained that the platform utilizes vast and precise destination data to deliver tailor-made itineraries based on user requests

When customers arrive at their destination, the platform can facilitate hotel bookings, ticket purchases, and even suggestions for local food and shopping options—all aimed at ensuring a seamless travel experience.

In reality, a plethora of online travel platforms are now deploying AI modelsCtrip has introduced several new products, including "Ctrip Wen Dao," an AI travel assistant known as "TripGenie," as well as AI-driven features such as "Travel Hotspots" and "Reputation Rankings." The "Travel Hotspots" feature leverages user search data to uncover innovative travel experiences all over the worldBoth "Ctrip Wen Dao" and "TripGenie" provide highly personalized itinerary planning for global travelersAnother noteworthy product is the “Chengxin” AI model developed by Tongcheng Travel, which offers travelers smart itinerary planning, hotel reservations, and transportation booking—all through an integrated platform.

According to Hu Pengrui, "Our focus has primarily been on facilitating a comprehensive travel experience; from pre-trip strategy formulation and in-trip real-time information to post-trip services, we aim to showcase the convenience that AI brings to the table." This reflects a broader trend toward integrating AI capabilities into the fabric of travel operations, ultimately fostering growth in the industry.

The rapid convergence of travel and AI technologies is becoming even more palpable

Vtrip Technology recently announced the completion of its Series A funding round with significant contributions from several prominent investment agencies, including Shenbao Yiben Fund, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Cultural Industry Investment Fund, GaoRong ChuangTou, Youshan Capital, and ZhongHuYaKang, with total financing exceeding 100 million yuanThis influx of capital underscores the investor community's confidence in AI's potential to enhance the tourism industry.

"Travel is becoming deeply ingrained in our everyday lives while also exhibiting a distinct trend towards hyper-personalization," noted Xi Yanchao, Deputy General Manager of Shenbao Yiben Fund“We are optimistic about the merging of tourism and AI technologies, and we believe that AI models will pave the way for unprecedented growth opportunities in the sector.” Meanwhile, Hu Shuo, a partner at GaoRong ChuangTou, emphasized the importance of efficiently matching supply and demand within the trillion-dollar tourism industry, remarking that AI significantly links both ends of this spectrum

Vtrip Technology has made strategic advancements in specific destinations, demonstrating product usability, fulfillment, and commercial viability, and there is high hope for its expansion to additional locations.

The infusion of AI into the travel and cultural sectors harbors immense potential for innovative advancementsAI positively impacts the efficiency of matching supply with demand in tourismA prime example can be seen in Ctrip's cross-border travel sector, where hotel and flight bookings have rebounded remarkably this year, reaching levels comparable to those in 2019, with inbound travel reservations showing a near twofold year-on-year increaseThe role of AI technology in facilitating communication throughout the travel process has been pivotal in driving these growth figuresDuring peak periods, Ctrip's intelligent customer service system has managed to assist over a million users, achieving over a 75% self-service resolution rate.

As we look ahead to 2027, the smart tourism economy is projected to expand further, enhancing infrastructure and significantly elevating management levels within the industry