Cyprus is turning to artificial intelligence to reshape its tourism industry, under a national strategy unveiled at a meeting between the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and the country’s Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology.
The meeting, held yesterday, Wednesday, August 12, at the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, brought together Deputy Minister Costas Koumis and Chief Scientist Dimitris Skouridis to discuss plans for embedding AI across the tourism sector.
“The improvement of tourism services is now also linked to Artificial Intelligence,” Mr Koumis said.
Mr Skouridis’ team presented “Smart Tourism 2032: The Cyprus AI Strategy,” part of a wider public consultation on the National AI Strategy that runs until August 31.
The plan envisions Cyprus as a “Living Lab” pairing advanced technology with traditional Cypriot hospitality, built around three pillars: smart tourism infrastructure, smart destination design and management, and what the strategy calls the “empowered digital tourist.” Particular attention is being paid to small and medium-sized tourism businesses.
Mr Koumis said AI had already begun reshaping key areas of the industry, from how travellers gather information and plan trips to how destinations are marketed.
“As a Government, and as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, we aim to fully utilise AI, together with Mr Skouridis’ team, with the aim of both increasing the competitiveness of our country as a tourist destination and improving the tourist experience,” he said.
He added that technology could not replace what he called the human-centric nature of tourism, through which qualities such as trust and authenticity are built.
The Deputy Ministry said it wanted the local tourism industry to stay informed, take part in the ongoing public consultation, and make full use of the opportunities offered by AI.
