AI is changing how visitors choose attractions, but human connection remains key, AVEA conference hears
Yesterday (19 Oct 2026), more than 250 delegates gathered at the National Gallery of Ireland as AVEA launched its five-year strategy.
Ireland’s visitor attractions need to adapt to how artificial intelligence shapes travel choices while investing in the people and stories that make a visit memorable, delegates at the AVEA conference heard.
More than 250 delegates gathered at the National Gallery of Ireland on the 19th of October to examine a shift with direct implications for tourism businesses: How to ensure their experiences are discovered and chosen as visitors increasingly turn to AI for travel advice.
Research presented by Fáilte Ireland showed that more than 30% of overseas travellers already use generative AI to research a destination, rising to one in two US visitors.
For attraction operators, the implication is practical. Their stories, opening hours, prices, accessibility information and booking options need to be accurate and easy to find online, helping visitors discover and choose their experiences through emerging digital channels.
