How artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted sets it apart from its technological predecessors, according to Marc Mekki, founder of consulting firm Inspire Limitless.
During an executive interview at Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona, Mekki explained up the “paradox” surrounding AI. Typically, innovative technologies start in government labs, related to military research, then make their way to small and midsize companies and then to consumers. But with AI, Mekki said it’s the opposite.
“We’re seeing the adoption actually happening in the consumer sphere long before it’s happening on the corporate level—and that has profound implications, I think, for the discussion about how we innovate with AI,” he said.
Experimentation is now happening on the periphery, with consumers using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, ElevenLabs and Perplexity in different ways than they would in a corporate environment. According to Mekki, new ideas and workflows then have to make their way back to the organizational level.
Furthermore, due to the pace that AI develops, Mekki said companies are “always behind the curve.” With this in mind, businesses must be flexible and willing to take chances, which can also be intimidating.
“The moment the integration is completed and tested and rolled out, it’s already obsolete in many ways, so you need this duality between, yes, doubling-down on integration but at the same time, having part of a team or an executive team constantly being on the bleeding edge of this,” he said.
“You need to have that one foot in the future at all times.”
Mekki also touched on the need for travel to reevaluate its purpose as an industry, the future of the web and his advice on how to make a difference with AI.
Watch the full interview with Mitra Sorrells, senior vice president of content for Phocuswright and PhocusWire, below:
Agents, Algorithms and the Future of Everything with Marc Mekki
How Is Consumer-Driven AI Innovation Radically Transforming the Future of the Global Travel Industry and What Critical Steps Must Companies Take Today to Adapt, Evolve, and Thrive in This Accelerating Digital Era? Here’s Everything You Need to Understand and Prepare for What’s Next
Home»TOURISM NEWS» How Is Consumer-Driven AI Innovation Radically Transforming the Future of the Global Travel Industry and What Critical Steps Must Companies Take Today to Adapt, Evolve, and Thrive in This Accelerating Digital Era? Here’s Everything You Need to Understand and Prepare for What’s Next
Monday, July 28, 2025
The Road Ahead: Evolve or Fall Behind
At a pivotal event in Barcelona, industry professionals pointed out that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t something approaching—it’s already here. Its influence is being felt in the hands of individual users rather than within traditional corporate or governmental circles. Experts warned that travel businesses that fail to adapt swiftly and meaningfully risk falling behind as the global travel landscape continues to shift. It was emphasized that while embracing AI is essential, thoughtful implementation is even more critical. Companies must remain bold, flexible, and deeply connected to how real people use technology in their daily lives.
Those leading voices conveyed a collective sense of urgency, not panic, indicating that companies that are willing to evolve in step with technological progress will be more likely to thrive rather than merely survive. What was stressed above all is this: now is the time to act.
Actionable Insights for the Travel Sector
During the sessions in Barcelona, several important takeaways were offered for companies operating within the travel space. The insights were grounded in real-time consumer behavior and the growing impact of AI:
AI development is no longer led by institutions—it’s consumer-driven.
Travel businesses must adopt flexible, forward-thinking approaches.
The value of travel must now prioritize authentic experiences over routine logistics.
A culture of digital exploration and adaptability is essential.
These ideas underscored a broader truth: the pace of change in technology, particularly in AI, is not slowing down. It is continuous, disruptive, and powered by users themselves. Businesses that harness this energy through strategic foresight and cultural agility will be far better positioned to lead.
Responsibility Must Go Hand-in-Hand with Innovation
The event didn’t solely revolve around AI’s capabilities—it also highlighted what AI should do. As travel companies integrate smarter systems into their customer journeys, they’re being called to prioritize ethical choices alongside technological ones.
The shift toward AI means massive quantities of personal data are now involved in decision-making and travel planning. With that, travel providers were urged to:
Safeguard the human element in every trip.
Promote transparency and fairness in algorithm-based systems.
Design experiences that are authentic and respectful.
It was highlighted that the most successful travel organizations will not necessarily be those that are the first to launch AI tools, but those that implement them ethically and in alignment with human values. The emphasis was on crafting real experiences, not just efficient ones.
A New Kind of Travel Experience for the World
As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, it’s already changing how global travelers approach their journeys. According to discussions in Barcelona, the transformation is happening across various touchpoints in real time. These changes include:
Highly personalized itineraries created through AI, removing the need for manual trip planning.
Real-time assistance via chatbots and voice-enabled tools, enabling travelers to resolve issues instantly.
Intelligent booking systems that adjust based on user behavior, providing dynamic pricing and customized offers.
While these advancements bring efficiency and convenience, they also introduce complex questions regarding data privacy, digital consent, and cybersecurity. Travelers are being given more control, but they must also become more cautious. It was advised that a balance must be struck between embracing intelligent systems and safeguarding one’s digital footprint.
Reevaluating the Purpose of Travel in the AI Era
Speakers at the gathering encouraged participants to reflect on a deeper question: What does travel mean when AI handles most of the process? If machines manage bookings, maps, and even real-time conversations, what’s left for the traveler?
It was widely agreed that technology cannot replace emotion, spontaneity, or human connection. These are the elements that make travel memorable and transformative. In response to increasing automation, the travel sector was urged to shift focus from logistics to meaningful, culturally rich, and human-centered experiences.
As AI makes travel easier and more accessible, companies must take responsibility for ensuring it doesn’t become impersonal. The future of travel lies not in moving people from point A to B faster, but in offering enriching experiences that resonate long after the journey ends.
Staying Relevant in an Accelerating Tech Landscape
One recurring concern voiced in Barcelona was the unrelenting speed at which AI is evolving. Attendees were told that by the time a company implements and launches a new AI tool, newer, more advanced versions may already be available. This makes it challenging for companies to keep up.
To remain competitive and responsive in this environment, it was recommended that organizations follow a two-pronged approach:
Adopt and integrate existing AI technologies that align with current goals and operations.
Simultaneously, invest in teams or leaders focused solely on emerging AI trends, allowing for continuous awareness and quick adaptation.
This balance helps companies avoid stagnation. It means operating efficiently today while maintaining a clear vision of tomorrow. The phrase often repeated during these sessions was that organizations must keep “one foot in the future” at all times.
The Rise of Consumer-Led Innovation
A central point that emerged from the discussions in Barcelona was the idea that innovation is now being led by the consumer, not by corporations or research labs. Regular travelers and tech-savvy individuals are actively experimenting with AI tools to enhance how they travel—sometimes in ways that large companies had not anticipated.
Whether it’s through creating personalized travel plans, solving problems through digital assistants, or using AI to explore destinations before visiting, consumers are setting new standards. Businesses are no longer at the forefront; they are reacting to what users are already doing.
For the travel industry, this means abandoning rigid models and embracing adaptive, fluid systems. Companies were advised to build environments that reward creativity, tolerate risk, and encourage constant learning.
A Major Departure from the Traditional Innovation Path
In the past, technological revolutions often began in military or government sectors, slowly made their way into private industry, and eventually reached consumers. However, AI has flipped that model entirely. In today’s landscape, individuals are using AI before many corporations have even begun full-scale implementations.
This bottom-up shift was described as highly unusual but powerful. People around the globe are independently utilizing AI for trip planning, content generation, language translation, and real-time support. These uses are becoming more creative and personalized, pushing companies to reassess how they innovate.
Industry professionals agreed that the old hierarchies of innovation are collapsing, making way for a more democratic, consumer-led evolution.
Beginning of a New Era: How AI is Changing the Face of Travel
In Barcelona, during a high-level industry gathering, the impact of artificial intelligence on travel took center stage. The conversation wasn’t just about technology—it was about how the adoption of AI is unlike anything seen before.
Unlike past innovations that trickled down from elite labs and institutions, AI is taking root in everyday life first. This reversed adoption curve is redefining how businesses engage with travelers. For those in tourism, it means looking outward toward the behaviors and needs of the consumer, rather than relying solely on internal development.
Companies were encouraged to accept that innovation is no longer linear or controlled, and instead, it is messy, fast-paced, and driven by end-users. This demands an entirely new mindset—one that welcomes rapid change, continuous adaptation, and human-first design.
Final Thought
The ideas shared in Barcelona revealed a significant inflection point for the global travel industry. Artificial intelligence is not simply another tool—it is a transformative force that is altering how journeys are imagined, planned, and experienced.
Travel companies are being urged to rethink not just their operations, but their purpose. As AI accelerates, the message was crystal clear: the future will belong to those willing to innovate boldly, adapt constantly, and stay deeply connected to the human spirit that makes travel meaningful.
Now, more than 20 years later, the brand is being revived not as an airline but as an AI-powered holiday booking platform called Ansett Travel.
Melbourne-based entrepreneur Constantine Frantzeskos said it was designed to be a “hyper-personalised” travel agent that suggests trips and itineraries based on your preferences, calendar events and budgets.
“I didn’t just acquire a lapsed trademark and domain, I resurrected trust embedded deep in collective memory,” Frantzeskos said on Monday.
“The original Ansett served Australians beautifully for 65 years before collapsing in 2002, leaving a void in reliability and brand warmth.
“I believe that legacy still matters, and that it’s deserving of being reimagined for modern travellers.
“Ansett Travel isn’t about replicating the past, it’s about re‑engineering it through AI as the core, not as an afterthought.”
What Ansett Travel will offer
Frantzeskos has previously worked with Emirates, Dubai Tourism and Visit Victoria, and this time partnered with Victorian travel start-up Travlr.
He said the new platform is “like the Costco of travel”.
It is open to everyone “but if you want the really good stuff” — flights, hotels and holidays at near-wholesale prices — you will need to join Ansett VIP, he said.
An Ansett VIP membership is $99 a year.
The Ansett brand has been revived as an AI-first travel platform. Credit: Ansett Travel
Not all AI features are up and running but Frantzeskos said plans for things like auto-generated itineraries, pre-trip alerts, and personalised loyalty experiences are on the cards.
“Today’s travel platforms are reactive,” he said.
“You search, compare, click. Ansett seeks to flip that model.
“It’s designed to anticipate when users need a break – school holidays, anniversaries, executive downtime, great weather for a weekend away – and offer options before you even think to ask.
“It’s not replacing human agents; it’s doing what scale, data and logic do best – with finesse, not friction.”
The website is already live and offering travel deals for destinations including Las Vegas, Bali, Tokyo and Athens.
Before its collapse, Ansett reportedly flew about 10 million passengers annually.
More than 16,000 jobs were lost as a result of the company’s downfall.
Home»AIRLINE NEWS» AI Meets Travel: The Return of Ansett as an Intelligent Global Booking Platform
Monday, July 28, 2025
More than 20 years after it disappeared from our skies, Ansett – once the face of air travel in Australia – has been resurrected in a design that feels decidedly futuristic. But now, it’s not flying planes. The world’s favourite airline has reinvented themselves to become a 100% AI-based online travel agency which links you to the most efficient, affordable and personalised booking services in the world.
The resurrection is by Melbourne entrepreneur Constantine Frantzeskos who spotted the potential of the defunct brand and pounced when time was up on its trademark. He wasn’t aiming to get Ansett back in the air but rather to leverage its track record of reliability in the travel tech business.
From National Airline to Tech-Forward Agency
Originally founded in 1936, Ansett Airlines, later known as Ansett Australia, was one of the country’s most trusted domestic carriers. It held a prominent position in Australian life, with major sponsorship roles including the AFL and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. However, due to financial turbulence and market shifts, Ansett entered voluntary administration and ceased all operations in 2002. This closure impacted more than 16,000 employees and marked the end of an aviation era.
Frantzeskos, known for his work in the Australian digital innovation space, has now repurposed the Ansett legacy into Ansett Travel, Australia’s first entirely AI-operated travel booking platform. The company was launched following the successful acquisition of the expired Ansett trademark.
A Travel Agency Built by AI
According to information available on the official Ansett Travel website and government-verified domain registration records, the company leverages a combination of large language models, predictive pricing engines, and recommendation algorithms to provide users with an intelligent, intuitive booking experience.
Frantzeskos explained via a LinkedIn announcement that he had “assembled a fleet of AI agents” and built the agency with full tech integration using tools provided by the Travlr platform—a known player in online travel booking systems. The goal, he says, is to redefine how Australians interact with travel planning by replacing conventional steps with intelligent automation.
This smart technology enables the platform to streamline complex tasks that most traditional Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) still perform manually. It can suggest tailored itineraries, adjust pricing in real-time, and provide instantaneous support—without requiring human travel agents behind the screen.
A Global Network with Local Identity
Ansett Travel boasts access to over 500 airline carriers and three million hotels worldwide, positioning it as a serious player among travel platforms. While still new, the agency’s digital infrastructure is built to compete with global platforms by offering faster results, superior customisation, and fully automated service.
The platform’s emphasis is not just on function but also on rebuilding trust with Australian travellers. The tagline: “Reviving a trusted name, reimagined with a new identity”, underlines this dual mission—honouring its legacy while embracing the digital future.
The Rise of AI in Travel
The relaunch of Ansett aligns with global shifts toward automation in the travel sector. As major online booking systems like Expedia and Booking.com increasingly experiment with AI tools, Ansett Travel positions itself as Australia’s local answer to this evolving trend—offering a homegrown solution built from scratch with AI at its core.
Importantly, the Australian Government’s Digital Economy Strategy 2030 supports such innovation, outlining incentives and frameworks that promote digital entrepreneurship and the development of advanced consumer services through artificial intelligence
What This Means for Travellers
For Australian travellers, the return of Ansett in a new form is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. While the airline will not take to the skies again, its reputation for customer service may live on—now reimagined through a digital lens.
The new platform promises:
Fast and dynamic itinerary creation
Predictive price adjustments based on demand
AI-curated hotel and airline packages
Zero-touch backend booking systemsA Solo Founder’s Vision, A Nation’s Legacy
A Solo Founder’s Vision, A Nation’s Legacy
A single-founder business, Ansett Travel is a reinvention of a heritage airline and a disruptive, agile business model for the new travel economy. Frantzeskos’ reliance on automation has low overhead and high speed — an agile model that others in the burgeoning world of digital startups might follow.
For now, the skies are still stripped of Ansett’s planes — but the brand is once again on the map for Australian travel. Except now it’s not by runways, but by algorithms.
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