OCTO has launched the OCTO AI Advisory Board, a new volunteer body designed to help the tours, activities and attractions sector navigate the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. The initiative was proposed and shaped during a working session at the Arival Executive Summit at Arival 360 | Valencia.
The board will consist of 11 members selected by the OCTO Board of Directors and will operate on a 12-month renewable term. Its work spans three areas: improving how OCTO's documentation and tooling can be enhanced by AI, advising on emerging technologies such as AI agents and MCP protocols, and helping ensure the OCTO standard evolves alongside an increasingly AI-driven distribution landscape.
Interested in joining?
Express your interest now. The board is open to anyone with a genuine interest in AI, developer tooling, or related fields.
Express your interest →The idea emerged organically from the Arival Executive Summit, where leaders across the in-destination sector meet to tackle shared industry challenges. One of those challenges was the need for a coordinated approach to AI standards, adoption and innovation, a conversation that quickly gained momentum and resulted in the formal board announced today.
Bruce Rosard, co-founder of Arival, noted: "OCTO was originally born out of a series of industry meetings between technology and distribution companies hosted at Arival Events. Seeing a conversation at the Executive Summit at Arival 360 | Valencia turn into a fully formed AI Advisory Board in under a month is a clear sign of what industry collaboration can achieve."
What the board will do
The AI Advisory Board's remit includes:
- Identifying opportunities where AI can improve OCTO's documentation, tooling, and developer experience
- Exploring how emerging AI technologies, including AI agents and protocols like MCP, intersect with open connectivity standards
- Providing strategic recommendations to OCTO leadership on AI-related initiatives
- Advising on how AI can support member adoption, onboarding, and implementation
- Helping position OCTO as a forward-looking standard ready for an AI-driven distribution landscape
Read the full AI Advisory Board charter for details on governance and how the group will operate.
Who should apply
The board is open to individuals at active OCTO member organizations in good standing. Demonstrated interest or expertise in artificial intelligence, developer tooling, or related fields is expected. Knowledge of the tours, activities and attractions sector is an advantage but not required.
This is an early-stage group. OCTO is looking for people who are genuinely excited about the problem space and want to help shape both the board's remit and how it operates. The initial time commitment is light.
What members receive
- Recognition on OCTO's website and in key materials
- Permission to list the role on LinkedIn and professional profiles
- A direct voice in how OCTO approaches AI strategy
- Opportunities to demonstrate thought leadership at the intersection of AI and travel technology
OCTO members can express interest using the form below. Members are selected by the OCTO Board of Directors to ensure a balanced mix of perspectives and expertise.