Artificial intelligence should strengthen tourism planning and service delivery without displacing human judgement, local knowledge and cultural values, experts said at a national symposium in Shillong.
The discussion formed part of the symposium titled “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, organised by the Department of Sociology at Synod College. Academics, government officials and industry professionals examined the opportunities and risks associated with AI in the tourism sector.
Speaking on “AI-driven Tourism Governance and Policy Frameworks”, Meghalaya Institute of Governance Director Aiban Swer said policy frameworks should ensure that AI remains a planning and decision-support tool rather than determining outcomes.
“Policies must see to it that AI does not give judgement but must be used for planning,” Swer said.
He called for human oversight and safeguards that would allow people to intervene when technology fails. He said tourism policies using AI should address technological innovation, smart decision-making, inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability and global branding.
Swer also pointed to the potential of digital tools to document and preserve Meghalaya’s cultural heritage. At the same time, he flagged concerns over algorithmic bias, cultural commodification, displacement of livelihoods and ownership of data.
He suggested that the state’s Autonomous District Councils could have a role in regulating AI and technology to safeguard local communities and their cultural interests.
“If AI is a tool, humanity must remain the compass,” said Dr E B Majaw of Synod College.
Prof Desmond L Kharmawphlang of North-Eastern Hill University, who presented a paper on “Cultural Capital, Tourism and AI”, highlighted culture as an important component of sustainable development. He said digitalisation could assist in documenting and preserving cultural heritage and cited the PARADISEC catalogue as an example.
The discussion also focused on skills required in a technology-driven tourism industry. Vikas Tembhare, Founder and Managing Partner of DTORR, pointed to the growing skills gap in tourism and hospitality and said professionals needed abilities beyond technical expertise, including communication, teamwork, conflict management, adaptability and ethics.
Tembhare called for closer cooperation between academic institutions and industry to prepare tourism professionals for changing workplace requirements.
In another session chaired by Patricia Mukhim, Dr Benjamin F Lyngdoh examined AI-driven hospitality and smart service delivery. He raised concerns over aggressive digital marketing, misleading AI-generated content and the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence.
Lyngdoh said Meghalaya needed a tourism model built around sustainability, authenticity and the long-term interests of local communities.
Dr Pynshailang Syiemiong, drawing on his experience in caving and adventure tourism, said technologies such as AI and GPS should complement rather than replace human judgement and local knowledge. He also stressed community participation, respect for local traditions and training local residents in wilderness and conservation practices.
The symposium also covered community-based tourism, ethical and legal frameworks for AI, predictive technologies for adventure and eco-tourism, cybersecurity, preservation of intangible cultural heritage and the integration of indigenous knowledge into cultural tourism.
