Kwara plans to use AI and digital tools to expand tourism
Kwara State says it will use digital technology, creativity and artificial intelligence to increase the visibility of its attractions and create opportunities in tourism and related industries. The state highlighted investments in innovation, film, visual arts, hospitality infrastructure, cultural preservation and digital-skills training across its local government areas.
The Kwara State Government says it plans to use digital technology, creativity and artificial intelligence to transform tourism and generate new economic opportunities. Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju announced the position in a broadcast marking World Tourism Day 2026, whose theme was “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”. She said technology was changing how people discover destinations, plan journeys, access information, make bookings and experience tourist sites.
Olukoju said the government would continue exploring technology and innovation to improve the visibility of attractions and visitors’ experiences. She said the approach would also support young people, creative professionals, hospitality businesses and other tourism stakeholders. The commissioner cited the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Sugar Film Factory and Visual Arts Centre as foundations for an ecosystem linking technology, creativity, entertainment and enterprise.
She said the film factory was intended to support film production and creative businesses, while the innovation hub provided a platform for entrepreneurship and digital-skills development. She also highlighted digital-literacy programmes that had introduced thousands of young people across the state’s 16 local government areas to coding and other skills. The Ilorin International Conference Centre, she said, would support conferences, exhibitions and business events capable of attracting visitors.
Other projects include the development of the Dada Pottery facility, which Olukoju said would preserve traditional pottery and create opportunities for artisans, particularly women and young people. She said tourism could stimulate transport, hospitality, food, culture, entertainment, crafts, fashion, technology, agriculture and small businesses. The commissioner stressed that technology should complement rather than replace the human element of tourism.
She urged filmmakers, photographers, content creators, developers, guides, designers, chefs, artists and entrepreneurs to use digital platforms to promote Kwara and create economic opportunities.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.