In thirty-six years
Interview with Alexander V. Kammel – President of the International Tourfilm Academy, awarded the state decoration “FOR MERITS TO TOURISM” by the Minister of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw.
Ewa Kotus: During the program of the public television TVP3 “Guest of Regions”, editor Jacek Zimnik asked you an intriguing question about the use of artificial intelligence in tourism films. You responded that it is an inevitable process in today’s world. If artificial intelligence is used wisely, it can be helpful… So, filmmakers are already using artificial intelligence, and if so, to what extent?
Alexander V. Kammel: The topic of artificial intelligence has become a common one for global citizens of all ages and at all levels. It is already being used in work, of course to varying degrees. Filmmakers, for example, use it to prepare scripts, develop advertisements, and even animate historical figures in documentary films, and much more. It is also very useful for creating subtitles in foreign languages…
photo: program editor „Guest of Regions”
E.K.: Thoughtfully establishing foundations for certain fields and creating conditions for constant observation of important areas for the world is also adding a strong brick to the development of science. And we must look to history here. Seeing such a need in 1989, during a time of great change in Europe and the world, you, together with your father, Rudolf Kammel, founded CIFFT – the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals – initiating the work of many festivals worldwide according to a single rule. You have continuously improved and refined this initiative, becoming a top-level expert in this field. These 36 years have been a time of immense work, experiences, and knowledge – not only about film but first of all about tourism. How do you think tourism will change, and which direction will it take in the next 36 years?
walking tour program in Warsaw
A.V.K.: This is a difficult yet fascinating topic, especially since we are also responsible for the development of tourism by promoting films that tell the story of all its aspects. Looking at what is happening to our planet, how the climate is changing and causing catastrophes, we must adhere to ecological requirements. So, all solutions related to transportation – cars, buses, trains, planes – cannot contribute to environmental pollution. So, what will these be like? And yet, tourism is growing on all continents, as people’s awareness and curiosity about the world increases, especially those who have not traveled before, or only withintheir own countries. Consider that, for example, the middle class from India (about 340 mio people) might start traveling the world. Our Earth is not that large, so will the tourism industry be ready for this?
E.K.: Maybe humans will rely on robots to help…
A.V.K.: Robots? They are already working extensively in many hotels around the world. We enter a hotel and on our way to the room, we don’t encounter any humans…
at the Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw
E.K.: So, will being served by a live person become a luxury?
A.V.K.: The world is heading in that direction. We must gradually get used to it. There will be more hotels, and thus, live humans will serve only the very wealthy tourists who stay in the best, most expensive hotels. Service is the key to superior experiences.
E.K.: That’s frightening…
A.V.K.: After all, we are already communicating less with each other; we are all looking at our mobile phones or computers. We book ourselves our flights and hotels, rent a cars and much more. Thirty-six years ago, the world was different – we talked to each other more, had discussions, and met more often…
E.K.: But your work covers not only tourism but also other important areas of economic life. The largest corporate film festival in the world, the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, is your creation. You also successfully continue the work of the US International Awards Festival in Los Angeles. These festivals boast entries from the world’s best business entities. What does the corporate film of the future look like?
A.V.K.: The global economy is developing and specializing, and emerging and developing markets are accelerating. The cooperation between higher education institutions and business entities is yielding better solutions. These often concern very narrow but necessary specializations. Therefore, corporate films will begin to showcase more specialized actions of companies, corporations, and even government institutions.
E.K.: So, will there be more of them?
A.V.K.: They will certainly be different, both in terms of content and form, because the development of the communication technology will bring us new solutions, including those regarding film production itself.
E.K.: You have always had great respect for science. You are also the president of the International Tourfilm Academy, and at our conferences since 2006, we have been discussing our contribution to the development of science, culminating in 2011 with the creation of the only “Tourist Owl” statuette in the world for films that should serve scientists in their educational work.
A.V.K.: The goal of the International Tourfilm Academy is to outline that science and tourism go together. We need a healthy environment to secure our tourists a great experience and want them to come back, but without destroying the environment. We worked alongside filmmakers to save our planet, pointing out the mistakes we make, harming our Earth… We warned about what the devastation of natural resources might lead to.
photo: Aleksandra Kotus
E.K.: And the beautiful “Tourist Owl” statuette?
A.V.K.: The beautiful sculpture of the wise owl, whose wings are ready for flight, directs these films straight to universities, helping with education, providing ready presentations on very important and often unique topics…
E.K.: In 2013, Poland rewarded you for your efforts in the development of tourism, as you were awarded the highest State Honorary Badge “For Merites to Tourism” by Mrs. Katarzyna Sobierajska, the Minister of Sport and Tourism. During the Gala, your mother was present, watching the ceremony with emotion, because Poland is her second homeland.
A.V.K.: My mother always spoke of Poland and Warsaw with great sentiment, and she loved to visit you… She came from Russian aristocracy, and her family fled from the Bolshevik knives during the revolution and after stops in Constantinople and Lwow (born there), she stayed in Warsaw, leaving towards the West just before the Warsaw uprising. After the war she met my father, and settled in Austria.
E.K.: In our conversation, we travel through time, wondering how much things change. Your mother was a lady in every sense—Her appearance, Her behavior, the way She spoke, and how She related to the world. After Her passing, for all who knew Her, a certain era closed. I am grateful to fate that I had the opportunity to talk with Her many times, just about life…
during Festival meeting
photo: Ewa Kotus
Thank you for the conversation.