478. Using AI to Transform the Visitor Experience, with Michael Herrmann
Release Date: 05/27/2026
489. Building Collaboration Across Borders and Waterways, with Sally Berry
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sally Berry, Tourism Director for Great Lakes USA and Cruise the Great Lakes. Sally shares how an unexpected career path led her into tourism and eventually to one of the industry’s most collaborative regional organizations. We discuss the power of partnerships, the rapid growth of Great Lakes cruising, and why thinking beyond traditional destination boundaries creates stronger visitor experiences and more resilient communities. Sally also offers practical insights into building meaningful collaborations that benefit destinations,...
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488. Community Conversation: Strengthening Tourism Through Advocacy
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I host a special Community Conversation featuring Patrick Kaler, President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara; Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion at Visit Milwaukee; Steven Coyle, Director of Government Relations for Transportation Policy at the American Bus Association; and Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Deputy Director of The Wild Center. Together, they explore the many dimensions of advocacy in the tourism industry, from legislative engagement and community partnerships to storytelling, relationship building, and...
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487. Building Culinary and Agritourism Through Collaboration: Conversations from the Taste of Place Summit
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, we bring you Part 2 of our Roadshow series recorded live at the 2026 Taste of Place Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Summit brought together destination leaders, economic development professionals, and tourism organizations exploring how culinary tourism can strengthen local economies and create more distinctive destination identities. Through conversations with Ellen Walker-Matthews, Elaine Zedack, Eiblis Doherty, Ceri Chong, and Bryanna Kumpula-Yung, we explore how...
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486. Food Tourism Begins with People: Conversations from the Taste of Place Summit
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, we bring you the first of two Roadshow episodes recorded live at the 2026 Taste of Place Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Summit gathered culinary tourism and agritourism leaders, destination professionals, farmers, chefs, producers, and artisans from across Canada and beyond to explore how food connects visitors to people, culture, and place. Through conversations with Tam Anderson, Jenni Lessard, James Eddington, Carl-Éric Guertin, and Monica Frost, we uncover a common...
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485. Building Stronger Communities Starts with an Open Mind, with Bradley Kautenburg
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Bradley Kautenburg, Executive Director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce in Algoma, Wisconsin. Bradley shares how a small lakeside community neighboring some of Wisconsin’s best-known tourism destinations has embraced its authentic character as its greatest strength. We discuss the power of collaboration, the importance of remaining open to change, and how destination leaders can build stronger organizations by focusing on community, partnerships, and a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions. What You Will Learn in This...
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484. How Research and Collaboration Is Transforming Erie, with Chris Temple
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Temple, Director of Communications at Visit Erie. Chris shares how Visit Erie has transformed its destination brand through an extensive research-driven process, positioning Erie as a four-season destination built around authentic experiences, outdoor recreation, and the lifestyle of the Great Lakes. We also discuss how strategic partnerships, community engagement, and thoughtful destination development are helping Erie build momentum while creating lasting benefits for residents and visitors alike. What You Will Learn in This...
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483. Leading with Authenticity and Resilience, with Lauren Bennett McGinty
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota. Lauren shares how Minnesota has evolved its destination marketing strategy beyond traditional tourism promotion to focus on storytelling, quality of life, and reputation leadership. We discuss the development of the state's Star of the North brand, how Explore Minnesota responded to unexpected national attention with authenticity and compassion, and why collaboration across agencies, industries, and communities is shaping a stronger future for tourism. Lauren also shares...
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482. Customizable Luxury and Brand Stewardship in Beverly Hills, with Julie Wagner
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Julie Wagner, CEO of the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau. Julie shares her journey from the cruise and hotel industries to leading one of the world’s most iconic destination brands. We explore how Beverly Hills continues to evolve while staying true to its legacy, the challenges and opportunities of marketing a globally recognized destination, and the importance of collaboration, innovation, and destination stewardship. Julie also discusses how Beverly Hills is redefining luxury for the next generation of travelers and...
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481. From Port to Community: Rethinking the Cruise Experience, with Shelly Hartfield
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Shelly Hartfield, Vice President of Destinations for Victory Cruise Lines. Shelly shares how her passion for destinations evolved from a career in maritime operations into a role focused on creating meaningful connections between travelers and communities throughout the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Atlantic Canada, and the U.S. East Coast. We explore the power of collaboration in cruise tourism, how unexpected challenges often lead to remarkable guest experiences, and why destination stewardship, community partnerships, and...
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480. The Power of Crazy Solutions and Human Imagination, with John Franklin Rinehart
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with John Franklin Rinehart, founder of Austin Film Crew. We talk in depth about his latest project in Gonzalez, Texas, and the Texas Legacy in Lights project, a full-scale live-action film projected onto the Gonzalez Memorial Museum. With the film, John is helping the community prepare for future visitors by developing new branding and digital assets that reflect the community. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How John moved from a career in music to becoming a leader in experiential storytelling How thinking differently can create...
info_outlineOn this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Michael Herrmann, President and Founder of Tour Connect AI. Michael shares how operating a bike rental company in Sydney, Australia, led him to develop a technology to help DMCs become more efficient. You’ll hear why Michael believes AI won’t replace the human touch in tourism, it will amplify creativity, improve collaboration, and drastically improve efficiency.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How Michael transitioned from a technology consultant to founding a bike tour company in Australia, then creating Tour Connect AI
- Why understanding regional differences and customer behaviors is critical when adapting across global tourism markets
- How using AI allows tour operators to focus more on human-centric tasks, such as building relationships
- Why rapid response to itinerary requests significantly increases booking conversion rates
- How AI-driven collaboration supports efficiency and customer experience
- How Tour Connect uses AI integration to build better customization
- Why AI in tourism is set to democratize advanced technology for organizations of all sizes
From Hands-On to Digital Solutions
Michael began his career as a technology consultant with Ernst and Young, but a leap to starting a bicycle tour company in Sydney, Australia, opened his eyes to the complexities of tourism operations. His American roots and European business model faced unique challenges in the Australian market, though travelers stayed longer and booking patterns were drastically different. This experience exposed Michael to the inefficiencies in the travel industry, especially for DMCs and inbound tour operators who juggle thousands of suppliers and use outdated processes.
These operational bottlenecks, combined with the travel industry’s dependence on static annual contracts, paper forms, and institutional knowledge, inspired Michael to found Tour Connect, which aims to streamline collaboration through technology and, eventually, AI.
Breaking Down AI-Powered Itinerary Building
The industry conversation about AI usually focuses on generic tools like ChatGPT. Michael stresses that genuine transformation only comes from integrating AI into the actual business environment. Tour Connect’s approach uses a company’s real supplier contracts, negotiated rates, and established relationships. By tapping into existing booking systems, AI can pull all necessary information—dates, guest counts, preferences, allergies—and compose an accurate, bookable itinerary with remarkable speed and consistency.
Collaboration and Speed
Speed isn’t just a matter of convenience, it’s a key driver of conversion. Failing to respond to a group itinerary request within 24 hours can result in a devastating 40% drop in the likelihood of booking. With travelers often sending concurrent requests to operators in various destinations, it’s the fastest, most polished reply that captures their imagination first, building anticipation and attachment to a particular place.
AI-powered workflow automation enables faster supplier confirmations, quote turnarounds, and itinerary delivery, helping teams to focus on relationship-building rather than firefighting.
Resources:
- Website: www.tourconnect.ai
- LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-herrmann-768ab6/
- LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tourconnect-llc/