November 8, 2025 – At the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly ongoing in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, delegates turned their attention to the future of Tourism at a special session themed “UN Tourism Tech Adventure: Grand Final of the UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge.” The event showcased groundbreaking AI-driven solutions designed by Start Ups to enhance tourism experiences worldwide.
Finalists presented innovative applications of artificial intelligence in tourism product enhancement, including destination planning tools that assist travelers with trip planning, attraction and activity discovery, time optimization, destination recommendations, and budget-value management.
Commenting on the session, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who is leading Ghana’s delegation to the Assembly, expressed satisfaction that agencies under her ministry are already deploying AI-powered systems to enrich tourist experiences. She noted that these initiatives align closely with the UN Tourism’s AI objectives and contribute to realizing President John Mahama’s “Black Star Experience,” a vision to position Ghana as a premier destination for authentic total cultural emersion and unfettered appreciation for African heritage.
The Minister reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to advance sustainable and inclusive tourism growth. She urged countries and tech companies to partner Ghana to achieve greater heights in the use of AI in Ghana’s hospitality industry.
The Ghana delegation includes Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for Assin North, H.E. Regina Appiah Sam, Ghana Ambassador to Spain and Permanent Representative to UN Tourism, Chief Director of Foreign Affairs- Ambassor khadijah Iddrisu, CEO of Ghana Tourism Development Company – Prof Kobby Mensah and Deputy Director of Tourism – Ms. Isabel N Dowuona.
This development cements Ghana’s position as a key player in the global tourism industry, embracing technology and innovation to shape the future of tourism.
Source: Isabel N. Dowuona
