TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Furthering its commitment to sustainable tourism, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has unveiled the Sustainable Tourism AI Assistant, an innovative virtual assistant designed to empower travellers, businesses, and institutions to make informed eco-friendly decisions. The forward-thinking tool was launched at GITEX Global, one of the world’s largest and most influential tech exhibitions.
Launched at GITEX Global, one of the world’s largest and most influential tech exhibitions, this forward-thinking initiative highlights Sharjah’s dedication to environmental preservation while reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable tourism. Supporting more than 40 languages, it offers tailored insights that promote responsible travel choices and support environmental stewardship on a global scale.
Commenting on the project, His Execellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, stated: “Sharjah, through its practices, emphasises the importance of sustainability as a key pillar of its developmental operations, particularly in the tourism sector, which is one of the most vibrant sectors contributing to national economy. Amid global challenges related to climate change, the ‘Sustainable Tourism Smart Assistant’ comes as a practical model for applying global sustainable development goals, aligning with the UN World Tourism Organisation’s initiative ‘Towards a Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainability’. The application provides comprehensive information for travellers, tourists, and stakeholders to adopt the best sustainable travel practices, enabling them to make informed decisions that protect the environment and reduce the ecological footprint.” He added: “This project is an advanced technological tool that integrates the concept of sustainable tourism into daily practices. Its objectives are an integral part of Sharjah’s identity, and we are confident that it will contribute to enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors, attracting sustainable investments, and encouraging civil society to adopt environmentally friendly behaviours, thereby reinforcing the emirate’s status as a global sustainable tourism destination.”
The Sustainable Tourism AI Assistant is designed to bridge the knowledge gap in sustainable practices. It draws on a vast, expert-curated global database compiled from leading sustainability experts, offering innovative, eco-friendly solutions, allowing users to access strategies and practices that contribute to environmental protection and promote sustainable tourism. The assistant also empowers decision-makers in the sector to make well-informed, scientifically based choices with an emphasis on sustainability.
A key feature of the project is its crowdsourcing capability, which acts as a knowledge-sharing hub. This enables industry partners and individuals to upload their solutions and experiences, allowing all users to benefit from shared success stories. Each contribution is vetted to ensure its credibility and effectiveness, encouraging ongoing user learning and improvement.
The initiative also supports more than 40 languages to broaden its reach, making it a valuable tool for both tourists and residents. It offers tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of each user, providing clear answers on a wide range of sustainability topics, such as energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainable mobility.
