Event Description
Ever wondered how data scientists make sense of the world? Join us at the UUBS Bloomberg Lab during the NI Science Festival for an exciting workshop that brings data science to life through a topic everyone can relate to—tourism and hospitality!
This session is suited for anyone curious about how data shapes decision-making in industries we interact with daily. Together, we’ll explore:
- How data science predicts visitor numbers and hospitality demand in Belfast city center.
- The influence of factors like weather, weekdays, pay weekends, tourist boats, and even late-night public transport on local businesses.
- Cutting-edge AI techniques like Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models and spatiotemporal analysis to forecast demand patterns.
- "Swiftonomics" — how events create economic ripples and why businesses need smart tools to plan for demand spikes.
Why You Should Join:
We’ve chosen tourism and hospitality as our focus because it’s intuitive, relatable, and something everyone can have an opinion on. This is a hands-on, inclusive workshop where your perspective matters — whether you’re a student, a business owner, or just curious about data. After all, if the model predicts high demand for tourists on a rainy Monday morning, something’s clearly off — and you might spot what’s missing!
This is your chance to:
- Learn how data science tools make complex problems understandable.
- Engage with researchers, practitioners, and fellow attendees to refine predictive models and uncover overlooked insights.
- Discover how smarter data analysis can help local businesses thrive.
Who Should Attend:
- Students and educators exploring data science and its applications.
- Hospitality and tourism professionals interested in demand modelling.
- Anyone who’s ever wondered, “What exactly does a data scientist do?”
Spaces are limited to 30 attendees — register now to secure your place!
Located at the Ulster Campus, York Street, Block BC, Room BC-08-101, our event will feature a hands-on workshops to sharpen your skills, and plenty of chances to connect with others in the field.