Post-Pandemic Experience Travelers Exploring Beyond Popular Attractions

Go City’s Baidi Li weighs in on hot topics like experience trends, experimenting with ChatGPT, and addressing overtourism at Arival Activate | Bangkok 2023

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by | 17 July 2023

How do you encourage travelers to explore beyond the most popular places? This was a recurring theme and subject of discussion at the latest Arival conference.

After the hot topics panel at Arival Activate | Bangkok, I caught up with Baidi Li, Go City’s SVP Commercial for Asia Pacific (APAC). 

“The top attractions are always going to be the top attractions,” says Li. Post-pandemic travelers are increasingly exploring beyond them, however, looking for more outdoor, culinary and off-the-beaten-path experiences in particular, she observes.

While Go City’s multi-attraction sightseeing pass includes many popular attractions, they are also increasingly adding a wider variety of tours and activities like outdoor excursions and culinary experiences to respond to this changing traveler interest. 

We also discussed other hot topics such as ChatGPT, which Li describes experimenting with, and addressing overtourism by encouraging people to explore beyond the major hot spots and participate in experiences that support local communities. 

Watch the full conversation here:

Go City’s SVP Commercial for APAC discusses attractions traveler trends, ChatGPT and addressing overtourism at Arival Activate | Bangkok in June 2023

Learn More at Arival 360 | Orlando 2023

Join us at the upcoming Arival 360 | Orlando this October to dig deeper into the latest hot topics in the in-destination experiences industry, and take away actionable insights for operators of tours, activities and attractions. We hope to see you there!

Insider Pro Access members can also watch the full “Hot Pot, Hot Topics” session from Arival Activate | Bangkok on-demand.

Become an Insider Pro Access member today and get access to the full library of Arival research, plus many other benefits such as free consulting sessions, special discounts and 20% off in-person events, starting from $179 per year.

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Tags: tours, activities, attractions, experiences, overtourism, Featured, Go City, multi-attraction pass, ChatGPT, AI, city pass, city tourism, Baidi Li

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH AND ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA AND WHICH SHOULD I ATTEND?

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

Arival 360 | Valencia (28-30 April 2025)
  • Scope: Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
  • Audience: Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
  • Arival Theater Content: Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
  • Breakout Sessions: In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
  • Networking: Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
  • Location: Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
  • Attendees: Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
Arival | Activate Edinburgh (23-25 November 2024)
  • Scope: Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
  • Audience: Operators and industry professionals from the region.
  • Content: Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
  • Breakout Sessions: Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
  • Networking: With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
  • Location: Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
  • Attendees: Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
Key Differences:
  • Global vs. Regional Focus: Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
  • Event Size: Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
  • Content and Sessions: Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
  • Location Experience: Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
  • Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 
Why attend both?

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

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