World Tourism Day falls on Sunday, September 27, 2026, under the theme “Digital agenda and Artificial Intelligence to redesign tourism”. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warns that, left unchecked, AI can funnel tourists to the same few places and platforms, leaving many other destinations behind.
For Africa, that risk falls on rural communities and small operators such as farm stays and community-run experiences that depend on being online.
It also affects travellers with disabilities: the World Health Organisation estimates that one in six people live with a disability.
Whether digital tools, transport, accommodation and information services work for them decides who can travel and who earns from tourism.
Image: Pixabay
