Experts Urge Caution on AI, Call for Accessibility Certification to Support Barrier-Free Tourism
Creatrip Team
a month ago
At a June 30 seminar in Seoul titled ‘Tourism for All, AI Opens an Era of Travel,’ Korean tourism scholars and officials warned that AI and digital tech alone cannot guarantee barrier-free tourism. While technologies like AI travel recommendations, guide robots, autonomous wheelchairs and AI smart glasses can improve convenience, experts cautioned against “tech optimism” that overlooks individual needs. For example, kiosks may help people with hearing impairments but hinder some visually impaired users. Panelists argued that true inclusive tourism requires government safety nets, staged certification systems, financial support for small providers, and clear guidelines for technology use. A proposed barrier-free tourism certification (인증제) would verify accessible sites and trustworthy information, but should be phased to fit Korea’s context and avoid overburdening small businesses. Officials said they will consider these academic recommendations when shaping policy to promote “tourism for all.”
