The Africa Centre for Hospitality, Aviation and Tourism (AFCHAT), in partnership with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has organised the Smart Tourism Symposium 2026 to explore how emerging technologies are transforming hospitality and destination management.
The symposium brought together students, academics and industry professionals to examine the growing role of innovations such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, smart data and other digital tools in reshaping the tourism and hospitality sector.
Speaking at the event, Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of AFCHAT, said technology is no longer optional but central to the future of hospitality and tourism.
“From AI concierges to robotic luggage assistants, the future of hospitality is built now, in hotels, destinations and digital platforms across the world. The students who embrace this transformation will lead the industry and those who wait will be left behind,” he said.
The Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Foster Frempong, said the symposium brought together industry experts and academics to expose students to technological innovations shaping the future of the tourism and hospitality sector.
He emphasised that initiatives such as the symposium help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, particularly as technological innovations continue to reshape the tourism landscape.
Other dignitaries present included Prof. Ahmed Agyapong, Dean of the KNUST School of Business; Abena Amo, Deputy Director of Standards and Protocol at the Ghana Tourism Authority in Kumasi; Kwame Owusu-Ameyaw, Chief Operating Officer of AFCHAT; and digital marketer and tech analyst Maximus Amertogoh, who also addressed participants.
The symposium featured presentations, practical demonstrations and networking opportunities for students to interact with industry professionals and gain insights into emerging trends shaping the future of hospitality and tourism.
