Hani Rastgaran, advisor to the Deputy of Tourism in the New Technologies Department of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, examined the new developments in the tourism industry on the last day of Tourism Week. He stated that tourism is on the brink of a profound transformation; a change known by names such as artificial intelligence, big data, and digital platforms, but in reality, it relates to humans.
Technology and Humanity in Travel
Rastgaran explained: "If we summarize the function of technology only in making travel faster, cheaper, and more predictable, we overlook a large part of its potential. Technology should make travel 'more human'; meaning it should be able to reduce the concerns and anxieties of travelers and enhance the quality of life in host cities. Tourism is inherently a cultural and human phenomenon, and people travel to encounter other humans and different lifestyles."
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He added: "No algorithm can replace the experience of conversing with a host in a local home or tasting traditional food. Technology should pave the way for entering these human moments."
Data Management and Crisis Prevention
Rastgaran pointed to the existing challenges in Iranian tourism and said: "One of the chronic problems is decision-making based on incomplete statistics and outdated data. Without a correct understanding of the timing of travelers' arrivals and service bottlenecks, travel management is reduced to reacting to crises." He emphasized the importance of ethical and accurate data analysis, stating: "This allows managers to manage the flow of travel before a crisis occurs."
He said: "Technology can help distribute travel more evenly across the country. By providing smart suggestions, travelers can turn to lesser-known cities and reduce the burden of travel in crowded destinations."
Rastgaran also examined the dangers of over-reliance on technology. He said: "If the travel experience is reduced to staring at a mobile phone screen, technology may create new economic gaps and instead of creating equity, increase inequalities."
He concluded by reminding that smart technology should not mean the elimination of humans, and technology should enhance human capabilities. The future of tourism should provide easy travel opportunities for all individuals, from the elderly to small business owners.
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