The Bauchi State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) says it has embraced digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to promote tourism, conserve wildlife and ensure inclusive growth.

This is contained in a statement on Sunday by Ismail Gokaru, public relations officer/protocol officer of the corporation, to mark the 2026 World Tourism Day.

World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on September 27 to highlight the importance of tourism and its contribution to social, cultural and economic development.

The theme of the day is: “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”

Mr Gokaru said that the corporation was aligning its tourism development agenda with this year’s theme.

He said that the corporation would leverage digital platforms to showcase tourism attractions to visitors and investors within and outside Nigeria.

The spokesman listed the attraction sites to include Yankari Game Reserve, Sumu Wildlife Park, Maladumba Lake, Baban Gwani Gidan Madaki Palace, Lame Bura Game Reserve, Tafawa Balewa Museum and Gidan Tatari Ali Museum in Zaki Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Gokaru said that the state government had established additional recreational parks in Bauchi metropolis as part of its tourism promotion drive.

He said that digital technology would be deployed to support wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching patrols and track visitors’ impact on fragile ecosystems.

“Technology must help us protect nature, not to exploit it,” he said.

Mr Gokaru reiterated the commitment of the corporation to ensuring that tourism development directly benefited the host communities through digital skills and entrepreneurship opportunities.

He said that tour guides, women honey producers, community craft makers and youths would be supported to acquire relevant digital skills.

According to Mr Gokaru, the corporation is working in collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to promote sustainable tourism.

He assured the commitment to developing an inclusive digital tourism platform for Bauchi and investing in women and youths through digital literacy and entrepreneurship.

“Tourism remains an important tool for peace, environmental conservation, cultural preservation and economic development,” he said.

Mr Gokaru further urged tourists, investors, conservationists and digital innovators to explore Bauchi tourism potentials. 

(NAN)