InteleTravel plans to introduce new agent tools based on artificial intelligence (AI) with the aim of saving time and boosting earnings.
James Ferrara, the homeworking franchise’s president and co-founder, told delegates at the company’s annual conference that AI has a “really important place”.
He said the technology will be harnessed in 2024 to track commissions and web enquiries, as well as providing new ways to search and research. It will also be used for registering with suppliers.
More: InteleTravel celebrates 50% growth in UK and Ireland sales revenue
Addressing agents, Ferrara said: “Travel is a very human thing, so AI will never replace you, but travel agents using AI might replace you – that’s the destination, so we want to get there first. We want to give you the tools to better serve your customers and yourself.”
Ferrara said InteleTravel already uses AI, having developed certain features “before people started talking about ChatGPT”.
The tools planned for next year will be designed to further save agents “time and effort”, Ferrara said, while “helping you earn more”.
Further outlining InteleTravel’s approach on AI, Ferrara said agents will be invited to stay one step ahead of technological developments by making use of the company’s Atol licence.
He said: “We need to carve ourselves a place in the industry that can’t be replicated by technology and that means we have to become experts not only in the product, but we have to be experts in our customers.
“We have to be able to tailor-make holidays with lots of understanding, compassion and empathy and all of those human traits that technology cannot replicate.
“So we’re encouraging agents to explore originating the packaging ourselves or adding on to Atol-protected packages by working with our supplier partners.”