By Frank Ulom
Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation and former Supervising Minister of Information, High Chief Edem Duke, has urged Ebonyi State to leverage digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to reposition its tourism sector for sustainable economic growth.
Duke made the call on Sunday, September 27, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the presentation of the Ebonyi State Tourism Policy and Development Master Plan.
The event was organised as part of activities marking the 2026 UNWTO International Tourism Day celebration and the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State.
Speaking on the theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism: Positioning Ebonyi State for the Future of Tourism, Culture and Economic Development,” Duke said tourism had moved beyond the development of physical infrastructure.
He said digital visibility, data intelligence and technological innovation had become increasingly important in determining how destinations are discovered, marketed and experienced globally.
According to him, artificial intelligence is reshaping the global tourism industry through technologies such as AI-powered travel planning, smart destination mapping, virtual heritage experiences and digital economic inclusion for host communities.
Duke commended the Ebonyi State Government for unveiling its Tourism Policy and Development Master Plan at a time when the global tourism industry is undergoing significant digital transformation.
He described the initiative as a bold and timely step towards repositioning Ebonyi from a relatively undiscovered destination into a competitive tourism economy.
He noted that the state possesses significant tourism assets, including iconic landscapes, cultural festivals and an agrarian heritage, which could be amplified through strategic use of digital technology and AI.
Duke said the combination of Ebonyi’s cultural and natural resources with emerging technologies could provide new opportunities for tourism promotion, cultural preservation and economic participation by local communities.
He further said the state’s tourism development strategy could serve as a model for how sub-national governments in Nigeria could deploy digital tools and artificial intelligence to build sustainable tourism economies.
The former minister emphasised that embracing the digital agenda would enable Ebonyi to improve the visibility of its tourism destinations while creating opportunities for communities that host cultural and tourism attractions.
He said the integration of technology into tourism development should therefore remain central to the state’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage, attract visitors and expand economic opportunities.
The presentation of the Tourism Policy and Development Master Plan formed part of Ebonyi State’s activities to mark its 30th anniversary and the 2026 International Tourism Day celebration.
