HKTB to enhance visitor experience with AI-powered tourism map

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will introduce a digital tourism map next year that will provide real-time, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered trip planning and queue updates for popular attractions.

Speaking on i-CABLE’s programme Let’s Talk (有理有得傾) on Saturday (10 May), tourism commissioner Angelina Cheung Fung said the upcoming digital map aims to help distribute visitor flow by guiding tourists to attractions at different times. While the map is currently in development, it is expected to launch next year.

According to Cheung Fung, the system will reference theme park maps to display queue times for different attractions and use AI technology to generate personalised itineraries based on travellers' preferences. Displaying queue times will help visitors better manage their schedules at popular sites. The AI trip planner will analyse user-provided interests, such as culinary, cultural, and outdoor pursuits, to suggest optimised routes and experiences.

The relevant system will be expanded to other attractions, including cable cars and Ferris wheels, according to Cheung Fung. Using Ngong Ping 360 as an example, Cheung Fung said passengers will know the wait times upon arrival. The nearby shopping mall offers a place to stroll while waiting. Therefore, many attractions can be implemented for the system. 

“We need to investigate further to determine if specific data is available, as tourism is now everywhere. Some attractions can suddenly become very popular, so we need to clearly understand the situation to make appropriate arrangements,” she added. 

While the trend of “tourism is everywhere” (無處不旅遊) has emerged, tourism hotspots are changing rapidly, with even a signpost or lamp post potentially becoming a popular photo spot. Cheung Fung said the HKTB will monitor social media to track traveller movements and coordinate response measures with relevant departments in response to provide a smooth travel experience. 

For example, the Water Supplies Department added vehicle diversion points at Tung Ba before the Golden Week to manage crowd flow. Meanwhile, regarding congestion issues at border crossings, the Transport Department has coordinated with suppliers to increase capacity and will enhance hardware support in the future.

“In urban and rural areas, the influx of tourists makes it more challenging to implement a queueing system. The necessity for such a system will depend on the specific location,” said Cheung Fung. 

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Under the strategy of promoting "tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong" in partnership with the trade industry, the government aims to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's tourism sector and fully explore and utilise the region's rich tourism resources.

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