DOBIISON recently participated in the Smart Tourism Symposium 2026, hosted by the Africa Center for Hospitality Aviation and Tourism in partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Department of Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
The symposium brought together tourism leaders, academics, and technology innovators to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the hospitality and tourism industry across Africa.
Discussing the Future of Smart Tourism
Representing DOBIISON on the panel was Papayaw Boakye-Akyeampong, our Lead VR Developer, who joined industry experts to discuss the theme:
“How Emerging Technologies are Transforming Hospitality and Destination Management.”
The panel featured respected voices from across the tourism and digital innovation ecosystem, including:
Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Africa Center for Hospitality Aviation and Tourism
Abena Amo, Deputy Director for Standards and Quality Assurance at the Ghana Tourism Authority (Kumasi)
Maximus Ametorgoh, Digital Marketer, Tech Analyst, and E-sports Entrepreneur
Benjamin Appiah Osei, Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
The discussion focused on how virtual reality, artificial intelligence, immersive media, and smart data systems are beginning to reshape the way destinations are marketed, experienced, and managed.
Papayaw shared insights from DOBIISON’s work building immersive platforms that allow destinations, institutions, and cultural organizations to digitally showcase spaces and stories to audiences around the world.
Bringing Experience Africa to Students
Beyond the panel discussion, DOBIISON also showcased Experience Africa, our immersive cultural and tourism platform that uses VR, 360° video, and interactive storytelling to digitally document and promote African destinations.
Students attending the symposium had the opportunity to try the platform using VR headsets, stepping inside immersive environments and exploring cultural and tourism sites through interactive experiences.
For many participants, it was their first time experiencing African destinations through fully immersive digital media.
The demonstration highlighted how immersive technology can help tourism boards, educational institutions, and cultural organizations present destinations in ways that are more engaging, accessible, and globally scalable.
A Growing Role for Immersive Technology in Tourism
Events like the Smart Tourism Symposium reflect a growing recognition across Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors that digital experiences will play a key role in the future of destination marketing and cultural storytelling.
As tourism becomes increasingly digital, immersive technologies like VR allow destinations to reach global audiences, inspire travel decisions, and create deeper cultural understanding long before visitors arrive.
For DOBIISON, this work sits at the core of our mission: building immersive digital infrastructure that helps African spaces, stories, and destinations reach the world.
We are grateful to the organizers, panelists, and students for the engaging discussions and enthusiasm around the future of smart tourism in Africa.
As the industry evolves, DOBIISON remains committed to pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling, tourism innovation, and digital cultural preservation across the continent.
