Cook Islands Pocket Guide recently completed an AI training workshop in Rarotonga. Led by Robin and Laura, the team behind the popular online travel guide, this initiative supports local tourism businesses in adapting to digital changes in the travel industry.

During their visit, the Cook Islands Pocket Guide team explored over 110 points of interest and engaged with more than 80 tourism operators, including established resorts and newly launched local businesses. These developments, such as guided nature walks, artisanal food spots, and boutique accommodations, will soon be featured on cookislandspocketguide.com.

The AI training workshop provided practical knowledge to local tourism operators, focusing on improving their marketing and operations through AI tools.

Key learnings from the workshop included:

1. Online Visibility and Accuracy:

   1. Maintain consistent and accurate business details across multiple platforms, including your website, Cook Islands Tourism, Google Business, and major Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.
   2. Regularly perform online checks to promptly correct inaccuracies, directly contacting platform owners when necessary.

2. Harnessing the Power of Online Reviews:

   1. Positive customer reviews significantly boost your visibility and credibility in AI-driven search results.
   2. Implement strategies to consistently gather reviews, such as integrating review requests into customer emails, adding clear review instructions to your email signatures, using visual signage at customer interaction points, and training staff to politely ask for reviews following positive experiences.

3. Optimising Content for AI-Driven Searches:

• Traditional SEO practices are becoming less effective; instead, prioritize structured, accurate, and up-to-date information.
• Regularly refresh your business profiles on Google Business and major OTAs to ensure visibility and attractiveness to AI algorithms.

Importance for Local Businesses:

• AI prioritizes structured, factual content from authoritative and widely recognized sources.
• Accurate and consistent business information across platforms greatly enhances visibility in AI recommendations.
• Businesses proactively adapting to AI-driven trends will secure significant competitive advantages and increased exposure.

Recommended Resources:

• schema.org – Leverage structured data to significantly improve your website’s visibility to AI.
• Wikidata – Provide authoritative, accurate business information valued by AI systems, enhancing discoverability and credibility.