Untangling Tourism Tech

Episode 18: From L-Plates to AI Boss

Most tourism operators have tried AI. Fewer know what to do next. In this episode, Fab and Liz unpack the AI "driver's licence" journey, from basic ChatGPT prompts to building autonomous agents that do your work while you sleep.
They cover:
Where most operators and DMO staff are sitting right now with AI (hint: 80% are on L-plates)
What moving to your P-plates actually looks like: custom GPTs, Gemini image editing, AI video tools
Fab's "Robin" agent that writes social media reel scripts from a single idea 
How Liz swapped her old workflow for NotebookLM and Gamma.app to produce polished presentations fast
What working on your full open AI licence looks like: building agents that run on a separate machine and report back via Telegram
A real-life tour operator case study: how to automate a 30-minute manual booking process using AI and existing systems
Whether you're just getting started or wondering what's possible beyond ChatGPT, this episode will show you where the road leads.
Links:
Tourism Tribe: https://www.tourismtribe.com
Podcast page: https://www.tourismtribe.com/podcast
Pocket Rocket: https://my.tourismtribe.com
NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google.com
Gamma.app: https://gamma.app

Episode 17: From AI Brains to Digital Doers

Welcome to the 2026 season premiere of Untangling Tourism Tech! In this episode, Liz and Fab dive into the massive technological shift currently reshaping the tourism landscape: the move from static AI models to active, goal-oriented AI Agents.
If 2023 was the year of the "Chatbot," 2026 is officially the year of the Digital Doer.
Inside this episode:
Brain vs. Body: Learn why Large Language Models (LLMs) are like a static "brain" that just waits for a question, while AI Agents act as the "body" that can actually perform tasks, follow rules, and execute a playbook.
The Agnes Water Case Study: We revisit the famous Paperbark Walk to explain how old AI models fail by giving outdated advice, and how new AI Agents can fix misinformation loops by checking real-time data.
Agent Legibility: Discover why the new priority for Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) isn't just "pretty websites," but creating "legible" data that AI Agents can find and use.
Digitising Local Knowledge: How regional tourism can maintain its competitive edge by turning the "lived experience" and "soul" of local staff into machine-readable formats.
The Google Evolution: A look at how Google Workspace is moving beyond simple search to become an integrated business assistant that understands your emails, documents, and back-office operations.
Key Takeaway:
Don't wait for the technology to be "perfect." The tools are already "plug and play". This episode is your guide to taking small, progressive steps to ensure your destination remains relevant and sustainable in this new era of AI partnership.

Episode 16: Stop waiting for perfect and hit record

This episode gets real about why short, simple video is the fastest way for tourism operators to grow their reach and why perfectionism is costing them visibility. Liz and Fab break down practical ways to repurpose content, use smart AI tools without losing your voice and stay ethical and transparent in an AI driven social landscape. It’s a no nonsense chat that shows operators how to show up confidently on camera, keep their humanity, and let tech do the heavy lifting without taking over.

Episode 15: Social Media’s AI Glow-Up

In this episode of Untangling Tourism Tech, Fabienne and Liz unpack how AI is reshaping what works (and what doesn’t) on social media for tourism businesses.
From Reddit threads making a comeback to Google surfacing Instagram posts, they reveal why authenticity and human connection are now the ultimate algorithms. Learn how to keep your content real, consistent, and confidence-building — even when AI seems to run the show.
Tune in for practical, no-fluff strategies to make your social media shine in the age of AI

Episode 14: AI Spoofs, Scams & Scares

It looks like you. It sounds like you. But it’s not you.In this eye-opening episode, Liz and Fab dive into how AI is supercharging scams, making it easier than ever for cybercriminals to spoof your email, clone your voice, and trick your team or customers. From real tourism industry examples to practical cybersecurity tips, we explore what every operator needs to know about email spoofing, voice cloning, and how to secure your digital doorway.

Episode 13: AI or Die - The Wake-Up Call for Tourism Organisations

AI is the new front desk for travel planning – and if your tourism business isn’t showing up in ChatGPT, Gemini, or Bing’s new AI results, you might already be invisible. 😬
In this episode, Fabienne Wintle and Liz Ward break down what AI-driven search really means for tourism organisations and how to future-proof your website and digital content.
You'll learn:✅ Why travellers are ditching traditional search engines✅ The unexpected resurgence of Bing (seriously!)✅ What AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini are really looking for✅ 6 actionable tips to boost your AI search visibility✅ Why FAQs, fresh local insights, and storytelling matter more than ever
Whether you're a regional tourism body or a small operator, this episode is your must-have roadmap for surviving – and thriving – in the AI-powered travel era.
Hit play and start optimising today.

Episode 12: AI Search - Found or Forgotten

AI is the new front desk for travel planning – and if your tourism business isn’t showing up in tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, you might already be invisible. 😬
In this episode, Fabienne and Liz break down what AI search really means for tourism operators and how to get your website and digital assets AI-ready. They cover:
✅ Why travellers are using AI tools instead of traditional search✅ The surprising comeback of Bing (yes, really!)✅ What ChatGPT and Gemini prioritise in your content✅ Six practical ways to optimise your website for AI visibility✅ The power of FAQs, fresh local content, and telling your story
If you want to be found, not forgotten, tune in and take notes – this episode is your cheat sheet to staying visible in the AI-powered travel future.

Episode 11 - Gemini, Google, and Gameplans

In this episode, Liz Ward and Fabienne Wintle dive into the rise of AI search and what it means for tourism businesses. With Google’s market share dipping for the first time in a decade and Gemini stepping up, the search game is changing fast. We unpack why Google Things to Do is critical for tours and activities, why rich, detailed product content matters more than ever, and how operators can stay ahead by using AI tools to boost visibility and direct bookings.It’s a must-listen for tourism businesses ready to adapt, get smarter, and get found in the AI era.

Episode 10 - AI Agents, Grok 3 & getting your 5K marketing plan for free

In this episode of Untangling Tourism Tech, Fabienne Wintle and Liz Ward explore the latest AI tools shaping the tourism industry. They dive into the strengths of ChatGPT, Grok, and Perplexity, highlighting how these tools can enhance marketing, research, and coding workflows.
Discover how Grok excels in coding and logic, Perplexity provides reliable, up-to-date research, and ChatGPT streamlines marketing plan development—including crafting a USP, customer persona, content themes, and social media schedules. They also discuss the emerging role of AI agents, their potential for automation, and the importance of reviewing AI-generated content for accuracy and brand alignment.
Whether you're looking to boost efficiency, enhance marketing strategies, or stay ahead of AI developments, this episode offers valuable insights for tourism businesses.

Episode 9 AI Tools To Save Time and Boost Marketing

In this episode of Untangling Tourism Tech, Fabienne Wintle and Liz Ward explore powerful AI tools that are helping businesses save time and enhance marketing efforts. From Google Meet's AI note-taking feature to Veed.io's video editing capabilities and Grok AI’s summarisation of news on X (formerly Twitter), discover practical solutions for streamlining workflows and staying ahead of the competition. Tune in for insights on integrating AI into your operations and customer experience strategies.