Tourism competitiveness no longer depends only on the beauty of a destination. It also depends on the quality of data, the fluidity of services and the ability of operators to personalise the experience before, during and after the trip.
With that perspective, Abel Josias BEDE, General Manager of African Digit Consulting, took part as a panelist in the formal opening and first session of the National Tourism Council. His contribution focused on a topic that has become central for the sector: the impact of artificial intelligence on tourism and hospitality performance.
Ivorian tourism is entering a period where digital transformation is no longer a side project. It is becoming a condition for steering, differentiation and competitiveness. Destinations that know how to use their data better understand traveller expectations. Hotels that automate repetitive work free up time for hospitality, follow-up and service quality.
Data as the starting point.
Talking about artificial intelligence in tourism does not mean starting with spectacular tools. The starting point is more concrete: collecting, structuring and connecting data that already exists. Bookings, occupancy rates, seasonality, reasons for visiting, customer reviews, consumption habits, recurring requests and service incidents.
Taken separately, these elements remain scattered traces. Brought together, they become a decision-making base. They make it possible to anticipate activity peaks, improve offers, better allocate teams and detect the friction points that weaken the traveller experience.
Centralise useful signals to better understand demand and seasonality.
Reduce repetitive work and make daily operations more reliable.
Personalise journeys and respond faster to traveller needs.
AI as an operational lever.
In hospitality, AI can help adjust pricing, predict occupancy, prioritise customer requests, analyse reviews or assist teams in managing bookings. In tourism promotion, it can help segment audiences, personalise recommendations and identify the content that truly triggers interest.
But technology only creates value when it integrates with the work. An AI model that does not understand local constraints, languages, booking habits or connectivity realities remains a peripheral tool. To create performance, the starting point must be the field, not a demo.
Innovation is no longer optional. It is becoming a driver of competitiveness for Ivorian tourism by 2030.
What we take away.
This gathering confirms a strong conviction at ADC: service sectors need digital tools that bring strategy and execution closer together. Tourism, more than many other sectors, lives in the details. A faster answer, better anticipation, a clearer journey or better shared information can change the perception of a destination.
The point is not to talk about AI as a trend. The point is to build systems that help institutions, hotels, agencies and cultural operators work with greater precision.
Source: LinkedIn post by Abel Josias BEDE published on June 23, 2026, available here.