LASUED Marks World Tourism Day 2026, Champions AI-Driven Transformation of Tourism

The Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Tourism Day with a workshop focused on leveraging digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the tourism sector.

The workshop, organised by the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management in collaboration with the Departments of Theatre Arts and Music, was held on Monday, 28th September, 2026, at Oto-Awori LCDA, Lagos, with the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism” and sub-theme “Harnessing Innovation for Sustainable Tourism Development.”

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, called on academic institutions to take the lead in adopting digital tools and AI to reposition the tourism industry.

Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye, whose address was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Shittu Morufudeen Adeniyi, noted that tourism has evolved beyond destinations to encompass people, places, technology and a brighter tomorrow, adding that AI and digital frameworks are changing how people travel, experience cultures and manage resources.

She commended the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management and its collaborating departments for demonstrating the interdisciplinary approach expected of a 21st-century university, and urged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the workshop. She also charged students to apply the knowledge gained to research, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism development.

In her address, the Dean, College of Management Sciences Education (COMSED), Prof. Ajani Safurat Toyin, described the workshop theme as a blueprint for the future of business leadership. According to her, AI is reshaping the tourism sector through data analytics, digital entrepreneurship and sustainable economic governance, with applications in demand forecasting, pricing, marketing, customer management and resource allocation.

She charged researchers, educators and students to critically engage with emerging technologies and to produce ethical and forward-thinking professionals capable of ensuring that AI contributes to economic development while promoting social responsibility.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Olumide Olusola Metilelu, said AI could assist tourism businesses in understanding visitor trends, personalising experiences, improving operations, managing demand and enhancing decision-making. He identified fragmentation among tourism operators, hotels, transport providers and attractions as one of the major challenges affecting Nigeria's tourism development.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Executive Chairman, Oto-Awori LCDA, Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu Saanu; and Managing Director, Presken Hotels and Resorts, Mr. Pius Obaje.

Also present at the event were the Dean, College of Vocational Education (COVED), Prof. Luqman Hussain; Provost, College of Postgraduate Programmes, Prof. Okedeyi Shakirudeen Abiodun; staff and students of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management; as well as stakeholders from academia, industry, government and the host community.