The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi has hosted a Smart Tourism Symposium to explore how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and smart data are transforming hospitality and destination management.
Professor Foster Frimpong, Head of the Department, said the symposium, organised in partnership with the Africa Centre for Hospitality, Aviation and Tourism (AFCHAT), 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.
Welcoming participants, the Dean of the KNUST School of Business (KSB), Professor Ahmed Agyapong, noted that technology is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, including education and hospitality.
According to him, most technological skills required in the industry are often acquired through extracurricular learning, and the School is taking steps to provide practical exposure for students.
“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,” Professor Agyapong disclosed.
Presenting on the theme “How Emerging Technologies are Transforming Hospitality and Destination Management”, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO 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.
He urged students to familiarise themselves with these technologies, noting that they will increasingly define career opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sector.
Mrs Abena Amo, Deputy Director of Standards and Protocol at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in Kumasi, described the theme of the symposium as timely, stressing that technology has become central to delivering memorable tourism experiences.
“For us at the GTA, what we are doing to rejuvenate tourism is experience. Because in every successful experience technology is embedded in it,” she said. “Experience is key in tourism. If we want tourists to keep returning, we must create experiences that are memorable, and technology plays an important role in making that possible.”
A digital marketer and tech analyst, Mr Maximus Amertogoh, also spoke on how rapid technological innovation is reshaping tourism and destination management globally.
He explained that technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, and smart booking platforms are transforming tourism into what is now widely referred to as “smart tourism” and “smart hospitality”.
According to him, these innovations influence tourist behaviour by enabling travellers to research destinations, book services and even experience attractions virtually before making physical visits.
The Chief Operating Officer of AFCHAT, Mr. Kwame Owusu-Ameyaw, highlighted the organisation’s collaboration with academic institutions to strengthen professional training and career development in the sector.
Mr Owusu-Ameyaw said the partnership with KNUST aims to build capacity in hospitality and tourism across Africa through symposiums, professional training, capacity-building initiatives, internship opportunities for students and leadership development programmes.
The symposium also featured a panel discussion, practical demonstrations and networking opportunities for students to interact with industry professionals.
