467. Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
Release Date: 03/11/2026
475. Bridging Cultures Through Scuba Diving Trips, with Melanie Marsell & Kathleen Hall
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Kathleen Hall and Melanie Marsell, founders of Dive the Americas and Explore the Americas. Kathleen, who has called Costa Rica home for over a decade, and Melanie, who has roots in both the US and Central America, share the journeys of creating two innovative travel brands: Dive the Americas and Explore the Americas. We discuss how they’re reshaping tourism by supporting local communities, collaborating with other travel professionals, and providing personalized guidance that helps travelers feel confident venturing into unfamiliar...
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474. The 100th Anniversary of Route 66, with Rhys Martin
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and Preserve Route 66 Manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We explore the fascinating history and ongoing cultural impact of Route 66, and how this 2,448-mile linear village has driven economic growth and inspired travelers around the world for nearly a century. As Route 66 gears up for its Centennial Celebration, Rhys shares behind-the-scenes insights on managing a celebration of this magnitude, the creative events planned along the legendary highway, and...
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473. Connecting Community, Nature, and Visitors at Cayuga Lake, with Astrid Jirka
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Astrid Jirka, Director of Tourism Initiatives at Discover Cayuga Lake. We discuss the difference between sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and Astrid shares more about the evolution of Discover Cayuga Lake from a community-focused organization into a tourism attraction. We also discuss the importance of being intentional and authentic in your messaging about your sustainable tourism goals and initiatives. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Astrid’s professional journey, from international travel to study abroad initiatives,...
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472. Events & Major Milestones as a Catalyst for Future Growth: Community Conversation
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Amir Eylon, CEO of Longwoods International; Debra Ross, author of “The Eclipse Effect” and founder of Kids Out and About; Jean Mackay, Deputy Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; and Jennifer Miller, Domestic Tourism Manager for Visit Detroit. Our discussion is all about how events and major milestones, from sporting events and festivals to milestone anniversaries, can become catalysts for future tourism growth and regional transformation. The panel shares their perspectives on the importance of preparation,...
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471. Building a Sustainable Future for Mongolian Tourism, with Jalsa Urubshurow
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO and Founder of Nomadic Expeditions. Jalsa shares the story of how he co-founded one of Mongolia’s most significant cultural events, the Golden Eagle Festival, held annually in the country’s remote West. Drawing on his background as the child of Mongolian refugees and his decades of experience bridging entrepreneurship and heritage, Jalsa shares firsthand stories about partnering with local communities and creating initiatives that drive economic growth while protecting Mongolia’s unique natural and cultural...
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470. From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Debra Ross, author, community engagement advocate, and entrepreneur. We talk about her recent book, The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities, and how it was inspired by planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse. Drawing from her experience planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse and spearheading community engagement initiatives. Debra also shares her practical strategies for turning extraordinary events into lasting networks. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Debra transitioned from a...
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469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of “Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action”. She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of our communications and provides strategies for identifying and pushing past those triggers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dayne became an expert in communication and de-escalation How recognizing and addressing...
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468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide...
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467. Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it has had real impacts. We also talk about adoption rates of AI within the tourism industry, and Dan shares a framework for approaching this new technology in your organization. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dan Flores transitioned from a long career in tourism...
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466. Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from paddling down the North Saskatchewan River in voyageur canoes to wandering historic buffalo habitats, indulging in Indigenous cuisine, and soon, relaxing at a uniquely Métis-inspired wellness spa. We also talk about collaboration and how...
info_outlineOn this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it has had real impacts. We also talk about adoption rates of AI within the tourism industry, and Dan shares a framework for approaching this new technology in your organization.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How Dan Flores transitioned from a long career in tourism operations to leading strategy in conversational AI at Satisfi Labs
- Why understanding operational efficiency is important when adopting new technology in the tourism industry
- What conversational AI can do to improve visitor experience and drive revenue
- How changes in consumer behavior and expectations are encouraging the tourism industry to embrace AI-powered solutions
- Why it’s important to identify pain points and define goals before implementing AI technology in your organization
- Examples of real-world successful AI adoption, including collaborative projects like Connected City and integrated chatbots for DMOs, attractions, and tour operators
- How a strategic plan and incremental steps can help tourism businesses navigate the AI landscape
The Power of Conversational AI in Tourism
The tourism industry has always relied heavily on storytelling and connection, and Satisfi Labs’ conversational AI platform gives destinations the ability to amplify their story and interact with customers in real-time.
Unlike static websites and traditional ads, conversational AI provides dynamic interactions, it can answer questions, qualify leads, and even facilitate transactions 24/7, in dozens of languages. This delivers not only improved customer service but also a seamless path from inquiry to purchase.
Driving Operational Efficiency and Revenue
Operational efficiency is a cornerstone in the tourism sector, where staff often wear a lot of hats and resources are limited. Satisfi Labs’ conversational agents can automate routine inquiries, freeing up staff to focus on high-value tasks and sales. Using AI turns businesses into round-the-clock operations without needing to scale human teams. A case in point is Dan’s personal experience using a Satisfi Labs chatbot to resolve a ticket issue for a college basketball game in minutes, a process he expected would take much longer.
The technology goes beyond simple customer service. AI-driven agents are also powerful tools for lead qualification, routing sales queries to the right person after gathering the right information, resulting in improved conversion rates and more effective use of resources.
Making AI Work for You
AI adoption is happening at a breakneck pace, so fast that Dan warns companies risk being left behind if they don’t get on board. He suggests tourism businesses create a strategic AI plan that identifies departmental pain points and assesses if AI can offer a solution, then they can decide whether to build in-house or engage a vendor, and start small. This framework helps organizations prioritize efforts, minimize risk, and ensure resources are being used where they matter most.
A key piece of advice is top-down adoption. Leadership should empower staff with resources, education, and freedom to experiment with AI tools, ensuring the culture embraces innovation.
Resources:
- Website: www.satisfilabs.com
- LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-flores2022/
- LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/satisfi-labs/
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