By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Sept. 26, GNA – As the world marks World Tourism Day on Sunday, September 27, Ghana joins the global tourism community to examine how digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping destination promotion, tourism businesses and travel experiences.
The 2026 World Tourism Day is being observed on the theme: “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” placing technology at the centre of discussions on the future of the tourism sector.
The theme comes at a time when digital platforms and AI are increasingly influencing how tourists search for destinations, plan trips, make bookings, access information and share travel experiences.
For destinations such as Ghana, the digital transformation presents opportunities to broaden visibility, improve visitor services, support tourism enterprises and connect attractions and experiences with domestic and international markets.
The United Nations, in its 2026 World Tourism Day message, noted that AI was changing how travellers chose destinations, how the tourism industry operated and how travel experiences were designed.
It, however, stressed the need for an inclusive digital transformation, with tourism workers, local communities and emerging destinations participating in shaping the sector’s digital future.
In Ghana, the observance comes amid renewed efforts to promote domestic and international tourism through digital platforms and campaigns.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has intensified its digital initiatives, including the launch of the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS) to support digital transformation in the sector.
The Authority has also launched its “Experience Ghana” digital tourism campaign, encouraging Ghanaians and visitors to explore the country’s tourist attractions and share their experiences online.
Ghana’s celebration will be integrated into a week-long World Tourism Day and Eastern Expo celebration in Koforidua in the Eastern Region from September 26 to October 3.
The local celebration is being held under the theme: “Unlocking Opportunities for Sustainable Trade, Tourism and Investment,” and will bring together tourism operators, businesses, exhibitors, investors, policymakers and the public to showcase tourism products, exchange ideas and explore business opportunities.
Activities will include a health walk, sensitisation workshop, seminars and exhibitions, with the official opening scheduled for Monday, September 28.
A workshop on Sunday will focus on the global theme and examine the opportunities and challenges presented by digital technologies and AI in tourism.
The celebration also provides an opportunity to consider how technology can help transform Ghana’s cultural, historical, natural and recreational assets into accessible, marketable and sustainable tourism experiences.
However, the increasing emphasis on digitalisation also raises questions about digital skills, access to technology, data protection, cybersecurity and the ability of smaller tourism businesses and rural destinations to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
For Ghana, World Tourism Day 2026 therefore offers an opportunity to reflect on how its rich tourism and cultural resources can be combined with digital innovation to create experiences that are competitive, inclusive and sustainable.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng
[email protected]