The Lagos State Government has joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Tourism Day, with a renewed focus on digital transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence as tools for advancing tourism development.
The celebration, marked on Sunday, September 27, by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, was held with the theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
The annual observance highlights the growing role of technology in promoting destinations, improving visitor experiences and expanding access to cultural and creative offerings. For Lagos, the state government said digital tools could enhance destination visibility, support tourism businesses and create wider access to its cultural assets.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the state remained committed to positioning Lagos as a leading destination for innovation-driven tourism while preserving its cultural heritage and identity.
Benson-Awoyinka said the changing nature of tourism made it necessary for the state and industry stakeholders to embrace technology, data and innovation, particularly as travellers increasingly rely on digital platforms to discover destinations, plan trips, access information and share experiences.
She noted that digital transformation also offered tourism operators, creatives and other players in the sector new opportunities for marketing, audience engagement, business development and access to wider markets.
The commissioner said Lagos would continue to promote collaboration among government, private-sector operators, investors, creatives and technology innovators to build a tourism ecosystem that is innovative, sustainable and responsive to global trends.
She, however, stressed that technology must complement rather than diminish Lagos’ cultural identity, heritage and hospitality, noting that the state’s distinctive cultural assets remain central to its tourism appeal.
The ministry therefore urged stakeholders across the tourism and creative sectors to embrace innovation and explore emerging opportunities towards building a more accessible, sustainable and digitally connected tourism economy.
