Artificial Intelligence: Threat or Opportunity?

Join us for the next edition of our ADVENTURE EUROPE webinar series, hosted by The Adventure Connection and ETOA. This online event is designed for DMCs, tour operators, travel media and other travel professionals navigating the evolving landscape of adventure tourism.

In the first half of this webinar, we’re taking a deep dive into the most talked-about shift in our industry for decades - the evolving role of AI, how it can be harnessed effectively in travel and what it means for adventure travel (a threat or an opportunity?) From simplifying repetitive, manual tasks to maximising the value of business meetings, AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for consumers, tour operators, DMCs and travel professionals worldwide. We'll explore real-world examples, address concerns and highlight the opportunities that AI presents for B2B travel businesses.

For the second half of this webinar, we’ll check back in on key topics and emerging trends as the active season winds down. We’ll discuss the lingering 'Trump effect', the rising pressures of overtourism and how promoting low-season travel can serve as a strategic solution. 

We’ll also examine the fascinating concept of ‘Destination Dupes’: Is your country embracing this as an opportunity or viewing it as a threat?

For the second half of the webinar, we’ll check back in on key topics and emerging trends as the active season winds down. We’ll discuss the lingering 'Trump Effect', the rising pressures of overtourism, and how promoting low-season travel can serve as a strategic solution. We’ll also examine the growing impact of climate change and related events on traveller preferences and operational decisions across Europe, along with the fascinating concept of ‘destination dupes’ - is your country embracing this as an opportunity or viewing it as a threat?

Panellists:

Alex Bentley: Global Head of Product at Audley Travel

Alex Bentley, based in Cheltenham, is Global Head of Product at Audley Travel, where he oversees the product development strategy and commercial relationships for the business in over 100 destinations. In his role Alex sets the direction for the Product function at Audley to establish a high performing supply chain and optimised buying and contracting process. He brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at Audley Travel and atTrailfinders and Price Waterhouse Management Consultants. Founded in 1996, Audley Travel is a UK and US based luxury tour operator creating bespoke holidays globally including extensive offerings throughout Europe.

Zaal Gachechiladze, CEO & Co-Founder, Wandero.ai

Zaal Gachechiladze is a prominent AI entrepreneur whose career began with a mapping startup acquired in 2011. He co-founded Pulsar AI in 2017 (exited 2021 as one of Georgia’s top tech exits) and launched Tbilisi AI Lab in 2023, where his team built “Kona,” a high-performing Georgian LLM. In late 2024 he co-founded Wandero.ai, an agentic platform automating itinerary design, vendor coordination and real-time traveller engagement to empower travel businesses with AI.

Alisdair Luxmoore, Founder & CEO of Fleewinter and Co-Founder of Vamoos

Entrepreneur and travel expert, Alisdair co-founded travel app Vamoos having identified a niche in the market following 10+ years running the tour operator, Fleewinter. He also built and manages the hotels Rebali Riads and Kasbah d’Eau in Morocco, and founded Super Yacht Holidays, offering luxury sailing holidays in the Greek Islands.  Alisdair now focusses his time developing AI based tools to help travel organisers for Vamoos.

Ged Brown, Founder and CEO of Low Season Traveller

Ged is a passionate advocate for sustainable tourism, founding Low Season Traveller in 2018 to combat over-tourism by promoting off-peak travel. With over 30 years of senior experience at leading organisations like Thomas Cook, Routes and Travel Weekly, he is dedicated to protecting destinations and cultures for future generations. A frequent keynote speaker and author on industry issues, Ged also founded the Tourism Seasonality Summits, bringing together CEOs of tourism authorities, airlines and airports to address seasonality challenges in partnership with Informa’s Routes events.

Mark Wright, MD and Founder of The Adventure Connection

Mark Wright has 30 years experience of running successful specialist tour operators as an owner, MD and marketeer.  Through this he has built up a vast range of useful contacts and is a respected and well-known figure in the UK travel industry.

This online workshop aims to bring leading experts together and to preview the second edition of the ADVENTURE EUROPE - the Online B2B Marketplace Event taking place on Tue 18 November 2025.

The panel discussion will last for 60 minutes, including a Q&A session.