Sharjah reveals unique 'Sustainable Tourism AI Assistant' in over 40 languages at GITEX

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

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.

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.

A unique platform for investors and travellers

Commenting on the project, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of 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."

The multilingual scope of the AI assistant appeals to both residents and visitors.

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 behaviour, thereby reinforcing the emirate’s status as a global sustainable tourism destination."

Bridging the knowledge gap in sustainable tourism

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.

Multilingual support with answers in 40+ languages

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.

With its ability to analyse data and deliver precise recommendations based on user behaviour and preferences, the assistant is constantly updated with the latest information and advancements in sustainability, ensuring that users have access to cutting-edge solutions and innovative practices.

SCTDA’s innovative interactive experience at Gitex Global

At GITEX Global, running until October 18 at the Dubai World Trade Centre with over 6,000 exhibitors worldwide, SCTDA offered an innovative interactive experience with the Sustainable Tourism AI Assistant using advanced Holobox technology. Visitors engaged with a digital avatar representing the AI assistant, asking questions about sustainable tourism practices and receiving real-time, comprehensive answers, further enhancing visitors’ understanding of this groundbreaking solution.