Midvaal tourism gathering explores AI and regional growth

Tourism businesses and industry partners gathered at Meyerton Town Hall on 30 September to explore how digital technology could help attract visitors and grow the region’s tourism sector.

The World Tourism Day celebration focused on the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, with discussions covering digital marketing, visitor engagement, destination management and business development.

Midvaal Executive Mayor Alderman Peter Teixeira highlighted the relationship between technology and the visitor experience.

“Digital innovation creates opportunities. Great hospitality brings them to life!” said Teixeira.

Melanie Leloup of South African Tourism explored domestic tourism in the digital era, highlighting how artificial intelligence and platforms such as Mothusi and TikTok are changing travel discovery and bookings.

Refilwe Seemise of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa outlined the Grading Support Programme, while Dr Tanya Erasmus of the Vaal University of Technology discussed artificial intelligence’s role in tourism communication across the Vaal Triangle.

Regional cooperation also emerged as a key issue. During the question-and-answer session, Municipal Manager Phumudzo Magodi emphasised that Midvaal could not grow its tourism sector in isolation and needed to work with stakeholders across the region.

Hosted by the Head of Development and Planning, the gathering was attended by Council Speaker Alderman Alan McLoughlin, MMC for Development and Planning Councillor Thembi Maduna, Magodi and the Head of Corporate Services.

Tourism businesses interested in joining the local tourism network can email PromiseT@midvaal.gov.za or Tourism@midvaal.gov.za.