Emerging technologies are rapidly transforming the global tourism and hospitality industry, changing how travellers discover destinations, book services and experience attractions.
From artificial intelligence-powered concierges to smart data systems and immersive virtual experiences, technology is increasingly shaping the way the tourism sector operates worldwide.
Highlighting this shift, Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Centre for Hospitality, Aviation and Tourism (AFCHAT) and former CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said the future of the hospitality industry is already being shaped by technological innovation.
“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.
He made the remarks at the Smart Tourism Symposium 2026, organised by AFCHAT in partnership with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), with YFM as media partner.
Also speaking at the event, the Dean of the KNUST School of Business, Prof. Ahmed Agyapong, said universities must play an active role in preparing students for the technological demands of the modern workplace.
“As a School, we are ready to support the Department and equip the students to learn and adopt these emerging technologies before graduating. We are putting up a digital lab with 200 computers where all these emerging software and technologies are installed to prepare our students before entering the world of work,” Prof. Agyapong disclosed.
The Chief Operating Officer of AFCHAT, Kwame Owusu-Ameyaw, also highlighted the organisation’s collaboration with academic institutions to strengthen professional training and career development within the tourism sector.
He noted that the partnership with universities aims to build capacity in hospitality and tourism across Africa through symposiums, professional training, internship opportunities for students and leadership development programmes.
Other dignitaries present included Prof. Forster Frempong, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at KNUST, Abena Amo, Deputy Director of Standards and Protocol at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in Kumasi, and digital marketer and tech analyst Maximus Amertogoh, who also spoke on how technological innovation is reshaping tourism and destination management globally.
The symposium brought together students, academics and industry professionals to discuss the growing role of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, the Internet of Things, virtual reality and smart tourism platforms in shaping the future of hospitality and destination manage.
