TIA is excited to announce that our Education Series: AI Essentials for Tourism is back.

Following the success of our first AI Essentials for Tourism programme, we're pleased to be bringing this education series back this October and November with expanded content - including - more tourism case studies and an even greater focus on practical application. 

Whether you're new to AI, missed the first programme, or just looking to build your knowledge, this six-part online programme is specifically designed to help tourism businesses build practical AI capability and confidence.

From understanding the fundamentals through to exploring real-world tourism applications and building AI-powered workflows, the programme offers something for every level of experience.

The programme is divided into three streams of two sessions each, allowing you to choose the level that best suits you, or you can move through all three streams as your confidence grows:

• Foundations for participants starting out or wanting an up-to-date understanding of AI in tourism.

• Applied AI for participants already using AI and wanting to see how it is being put to work in real tourism businesses.

• Building with AI for participants ready to create practical tools and workflows for their own business.

Sessions will be delivered live online via Zoom, with recordings available for participants to refer back to. More information on the sessions is below.

Registration costs

Session Details

All sessions will be delivered online via Zoom. Registered participants will receive the access link prior to the first session.

Choose the stream that is right for you:

Foundations
Two updated and rebuilt sessions based on the first AI Essentials series, with more New Zealand and tourism-specific examples. 
​​​​​​
The State of AI in Tourism  
Thursday 1 October 2026 | 90 minutes 

In this session, participants will get a clear and current picture of the AI landscape, including the platforms travellers are using, how AI is influencing the visitor journey, what is changing in search and referral traffic, and where the biggest opportunities may be for your business.   

AI Tools for Your Business  
Thursday 8 October 2026 | 90 minutes 

In this session, participants will learn how to choose the right AI tools for the job, write stronger prompts and introduce simple ground rules for safe and effective AI use. You will also see accessible tools demonstrated using practical tourism applications. Participants will also receive a tool selection worksheet, an adaptable AI usage policy template and a curated shortlist of recommended tools.   

Applied AI
Designed for participants who are past the basics and want to see how AI is being used inside real tourism businesses.  

AI Tourism Case Studies 
Thursday 15 October 2026 | 90 minutes 

In this session, we’ll explore real AI applications from tourism businesses in New Zealand and overseas, covering areas including marketing, customer communications, product development, pricing, revenue and administration. You will leave with practical ideas to help identify where AI could have the greatest impact in your own business.  

AI Search and Visibility 
Thursday 22 October 2026 | 90 minutes 

In this session, participants will learn how AI platforms read and evaluate websites, what can help your business become more visible in AI-generated results and how to measure whether your efforts are working. Participants will receive a GA4 attribution handout and an AI visibility audit checklist for their own website. 

Building with AI 
Two new hands-on sessions for participants who are ready to build practical AI tools for their own business. These sessions will use Claude as a single platform, allowing participants to go deeper and create working tools they can continue using after the programme.  

Putting Claude to Work 
Thursday 12 November 2026 | 90 minutes 

In this working session, participants will be set up with a new Claude account to do real work across the functions that drive a tourism business, including marketing, content creation, customer communications, product development, business planning, pricing, and day-to-day operational efficiency. You will learn how to give the platform the right business context, create reusable projects and produce more accurate, relevant work that reflects your organisation’s voice and objectives.  

Advanced Workflows with Claude 
Thursday 26 November 2026 | 90 minutes 

In this session, we cover more sophisticated workflows that automate repetitive tasks, streamline processes and support better decision-making. The session will cover practical tourism applications including enquiry triage, reporting, content repurposing, data tidying, pricing and planning, while keeping human judgement and appropriate review points at the centre. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to the TIA events team at events@tia.org.nz