Erzurum– April 26, 2025
ECO Secretary General Dr. Asad M. Khan participated in the Opening Session of the Palandöken Economic Forum and in its special session titled “Culture and Tourism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” in Erzurum, the ECO Tourism Capital for 2025.
In his address, Dr. Khan emphasized ECO’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation through its core sectors, trade, transport, and tourism, and highlighted the cultural richness and shared heritage across ECO Member States. Noting the growing trend of tourism in the region, and benchmarking the number of tourists in the last decade, he attributed this success to improved connectivity, upgraded infrastructure, and stronger sustainability efforts.
Addressing the digital transformation in tourism, Dr. Khan underscored the ECO’s commitment to embracing digitalization. He encouraged regional tourism stakeholders to adopt digital and innovative tools to elevate the visitor experience.
The Secretary General further reaffirmed ECO’s unwavering support for tourism development through improving wider collaboration. He emphasized ECO’s vision to position the region as a globally competitive tourism destination while preserving its cultural heritage. The session also covered discussion on forward-looking initiatives such as digital museums and the recreation of historical figures using immersive technologies connecting the region’s past with its present and future.
