Cape Town Tourism has established an AI hub that will bring experts from technology, academia and tourism together to explore how the technology can improve visitor experiences while promoting ethical and practical applications.
The Cape Town AI in Tourism Hub aims to:
- Collaborate in developing practical AI solutions to address tourism industry challenges
- Co-create strategic use cases for AI in marketing, visitor safety, sustainability and efficiency
- Promote ethical AI development aligned with Cape Town’s visitor economy
- Share global best practices and adapt them for local impact
Founding members will include representatives of Cape Town Tourism, the Western Cape government, private-sector digital technology companies and AI policy bodies.
The forum will operate through a structured engagement framework, which includes quarterly sessions, working groups and opportunities for research and thought leadership. Cape Town Tourism will provide central communication and administrative support as well as resource toolkits to facilitate productive collaboration.
Sipho Mtombeni, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager at Google South Africa, described the hub as a game changer.
“This public-private partnership will unlock the power of AI to boost the local tourism economy while setting a global standard for its responsible and inclusive use. Together, we can shape thoughtful policies that guide the ethical development of this technology, creating sustainable growth and unforgettable experiences,” said Mtombeni.
Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy said the hub aims to enhance efficiency and create richer experiences for visitors.
“Tourism is changing faster than ever, and AI provides us with powerful tools to better understand, serve and attract visitors. With this think tank, we aim to ensure Cape Town not only keeps up with change but leads it, setting the standard for how AI can be used ethically, responsibly and with real impact across the industry,” he said.
