Tourism Finds a New Digital Frontier
The future of tourism may not begin at a hotel, airport or safari lodge. It could begin on a smartphone.
That was the spirit behind the NUST Hotel School’s commemoration of World Tourism Day, held under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” In true Ubuntu spirit, the event brought students, academics and industry partners together to explore how technology is reshaping the way people discover, experience and engage with tourism.
Welcoming guests, Gerald Cloete, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism, reminded attendees that tourism is not the responsibility of the industry alone. Every local, he emphasised, has a role to play in showcasing and contributing to Namibia’s tourism story.
Taking the conversation into the digital age, Prof Simon Chiutsi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism, unpacked the growing intersection between Artificial Intelligence, tourism and students. He highlighted social media content creation as an increasingly powerful tool for putting destinations on the map, noting that “visibility is the new currency.”
For Prof Chiutsi, reaching today’s traveller means understanding where they spend their time. “The algorithm of the youth is important especially if the execution is done correctly,” he said. “We need to code our experiences on digital platforms for potential tourists to have a tangible idea of what to expect.”
The celebration moved beyond discussion, with students getting the opportunity to engage directly with industry through a lively Speed Networking session. An exhibition featuring partners including Ompo Travel & Safari, South African Airways and Nalago Skin Care further connected the classroom to the industry.
Adding another layer of innovation, a Virtual Reality experience gave participants an immersive glimpse into how technology can bring tourism experiences closer to audiences.
For NUSTodians, the message was clear; the future of tourism is digital, but its heart remains human.
