THE tourism ministry is introducing digital concierges that can assist visitors in multiple languages as part of a wider effort to use artificial intelligence across the industry, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has said.

The ministry is also working on the information travellers see when searching and booking online, while using data to decide where to focus its marketing. Bartlett gave the update in a message read by Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith at a church service on Sunday to mark World Tourism Day.

“We are actively leveraging AI and digital technology to modernise the sector,” Bartlett said in a message read by permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Griffiths, pointing to the digital concierges, online booking content and predictive analytics among the initiatives.

The digital concierges are intended to give visitors information in their own languages. The ministry is also organising online content so that travellers can more easily find tourism offerings when making bookings. Bartlett did not say when the concierges would become available or which languages they would cover.

He said centralised data dashboards are being used to track trends and guide marketing decisions. Alongside predictive analytics, the tools are intended to give the ministry a clearer picture of what visitors are looking for and help it respond to changes in demand.

The plans extend to people working in the industry. Bartlett said the ministry is pursuing training through AI-powered programmes, as well as specialised AI clinics for small tourism businesses. He did not say how many workers or businesses have participated so far.

The minister also pointed to the use of technology through the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre to help anticipate and respond to disruptions. Hurricanes are among the threats the industry must prepare for, he said.

“Embracing this digital agenda helps us to future-proof our tourism industry while keeping a firm focus on protecting our environment and preserving our local culture,” Bartlett said.

The service marked the start of Tourism Awareness Week, which runs from September 27 to October 3. This year’s theme, ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism’, follows the theme selected by UN Tourism for World Tourism Day.

Bartlett called on government, businesses and communities to take part in the effort. “Together, we can harness innovation to rethink what tourism can be — an industry that uplifts communities, safeguards our heritage and builds a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all,” he said.