AI tech for Tipperary Tourism: does it work?

Tipperary Live has conducted some in-depth research into the efficacy of a new AI Powered Visitor Itinerary technology launched by Tipperary Tourism, an “innovative digital experience designed to help visitors discover the very best of Tipperary through personalised travel recommendations tailored to their interests, schedule and travel style”.

Checking the technology’s recommendations for a tour for a solo traveller around Carrick-on-Suir, and a golf-loving couple in Thurles, Tipperary Live found the recommendations to be sober and possibly suited to the fanatically fit.

The technology is meant to allow visitors to create “bespoke itineraries in seconds” (more on that below), and has been developed in partnership with Irish tourism technology company Great Visitor Experiences.

CARRICK-ON-SUIR

First, this reporter purported to be a solo traveller, with no specific dates in mind, arriving in Tipperary by air or by car. With Carrick-on-Suir a place ‘I’ really wanted to visit, I said I liked food (cafés and pub grub), and scenic views. My AI travel adviser after a (long) time recommended that on day 1 that I visit the farmer’s market in Carrick-on-Suir (this becomes a theme), visit Ormond Castle, that I walk the East Munster Way, visit the Lazy Cow Coffee House, do the Slievenamon Walk, and stay in the Talbot Hotel in Clonmel. AI doesn’t have legs and apparently has no respect for fitness levels.

On day 2, it recommend the Blueway Bike Hire, followed by a visit to Knockelly Castle, next the Liam Lynch Loop, then a visit to Marty’s Pantry, then back to the Liam Lynch memorial (one hopes that some common sense would kick in here), and finish day 2 with a stay at the Minella Hotel.

Day 3 involves the Clonmel food market, a day at the races, the Slievanmon walk again, a visit to the Junction café in Clonmel, the Grange Loop, and a stay at Raheen House Hotel.

We won’t detail the rest of the week but we can guarantee you the legs would be walked off you. The itinerary also did not suggest a single watering hole, despite this solo traveller specifically saying she was into pubs, and into pub grub. AI is teetoal perhaps?

THURLES

This time we were a couple, into pubs (try, try again), golf, and ‘attractions’ with a particular desire to see Thurles. Our AI master took quite a while, but eventually advised us to spend day one, where else, but Thurles Golf Club. From there, it recommended we visit Lár na Páirce, the Cabragh Wetlands, and then up to Templemore to the Cottage Shop and Tearooms.

Believing us to have endless energy and funds, it then recommended the Inch Loop Walk followed by a stay in Lisheen Castle (an immediate problem, as the castle is a seven-night stay minimum).

Day 2 kicks off with a visit to the Source Arts Centre, Thurles Farmer’s Market (?), and hike around Eamonn an Chnoic at Upperchurch. A visit to Mikey Ryan’s Bar and Kitchen (finally! A pint!) follows, with another walk in Slievedaragh Woods after lunch, and a visit to the Fairy Fort Farm at Borrisoleigh. .

Day 3 takes us to Templemore Golf Club, Templemore Farmer’s Market, and the Devil’s Bit Loop. It’s back to the Cottage Shop for lunch or dinner, and then onto the Bishop’s Wood in Dundrum. A stay in Copperfield House rounds off day 3 of this couple’s itinerary.

The rest of the week followed a similar vein, with a dedicated pub finally recommended on day 7 of the trip, Paddy’s Bar in Terryglass.

DOES IT WORK?

The AI really, really likes Farmer’s Markets and top-class accommodation. There was no option to indicate a budget, which is problematic but to be fair, many of the recommendations are free of charge in any case.

It does a good job of alerting the newcomer to Tipperary of things they many have not heard of, and for overseas travellers who often have difficulty with getting to grips with the geography of a small country in which everything is still a few hour’s drive away, it proves useful in showing what, exactly, is in the vicinity.

The major issue with the itinerary is not an issue of Tipperary but of the country; without a car, it’s would be simply impossible to make the best of a visit.

The AI-powered itineraries are now available on the Destination Tipperary website at www.tipperary.com,