The "Good Tourism" Blog

Dear {{first_name | friend}},

All well?

In what way is AI changing the way you work, hire, learn, or teach?

With perspectives from senior people in the business, academic, activist, airline, and NGO worlds — and even from Iran — there is more depth in this compilation of “GT” Insight Bites than you might initially presume; despite AI being “the hottest (and maybe the most boring) subject of the moment”, as one respondent described it.

As a non-technical person trying to live in the moment, I agree. While AI is indeed boring to the likes of me — technically minded futurists would disagree — I know it cannot be ignored. And, as evidenced by “GT’s” transparent deployment of AI, I find it quite useful.

Thanks to the good people who responded to the “GT” Insight Bites question.

Read what they have to say, and make comment if you wish.

In “The flaw in sustainability: Why responsible tourism avoids hard questions”, Ewan Cluckie argues that travel & tourism’s focus on sustainability practices over structural accountability has created a credibility crisis, and that it is time to ask harder questions about ownership, governance, and incentives.

APE Malaysia (Animal Projects & Environmental Education) sits at the “intersection of wildlife conservation, ecosystem restoration, and responsible tourism”.

Their diverse volunteer programmes are connected by one guiding principle: “Tourism must contribute to ecological recovery rather than accelerate environmental loss.”

Read more about APE Malaysia.

“While other countries are rolling out the red carpet for international visitors there are suggestions that the US is putting up the ‘closed’ sign,” writes Jeff Wilks in his “Postcard from New York”.

“As recent visitors to New York, this was not our experience. Quite the contrary, service was exceptional and consistent, with warm and friendly hosts at attractions, tours, restaurants, and sporting events.”

Is a career in travel & tourism a ticket to the world or a trap? What is your honest advice to a young person entering the industry today? 

DEADLINE: Sunday, February 15, 2026. To be featured in the upcoming "GT" Insight Bites compilation, send by reply to this email no more than (</=) 300 words in response to the question above, along with a picture of you, and what you do for work or study. (For more depth, you can and should link to references and sources).

If that question is not of interest to you, check out this ongoing open invitation to share. And share the invitation: If you know someone who is passionate about a tourism-related idea or has a compelling story to tell, let them know about this opportunity.

There are only a SELECT FEW "GT" Partnership spots available to organisations that wish to support my work. I neither need nor ask for much, which means there is tremendous value on offer. If you sincerely appreciate what I do, please be in touch. 

THANK YOU for being a "Good Tourism" reader, and for helping to build the "GT" network through your likes, shares, comments, reviews, and recommendations. It all helps "GT" find more readers, writers, and thinkers like you; curious and open-minded with more than a superficial interest in travel & tourism ...

"GT" doesn't judge. "GT" publishes. "GT" is where free thought travels.

Be well. Do good.

Sincerely,

David Gillbanks
[email protected]