BAI at Digital Cultural Tourism Forum in Beijing
On 3 July 2025, Blockchain Alliance International participated in the Digital Cultural Tourism Integration Development Forum, held in Beijing as part of the Global Digital Economy Conference 2025. The Forum brought together government officials, cultural institutions, technology companies, and international stakeholders to explore how digital innovation can reshape cultural tourism and contribute to sustainable urban and regional development. The event aligned with the broader conference theme, “Building Digitally Friendly Cities,” highlighting the growing role of digital technologies in connecting culture, people, and places.
BAI Executive President Ambassador Cujba attended the Forum and delivered a keynote address focused on the intersection of digital technologies, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism. Speaking from a global development perspective, Ambassador Cujba emphasized that digital cultural tourism is not a substitute for physical travel, but an expansion of access – enabling broader participation through virtual museums, immersive experiences, AI-powered storytelling, and smart tourism ecosystems. He highlighted the importance of aligning innovation with inclusion, authenticity, and long-term social value.
Ambassador Cujba also underscored China’s historic and contemporary role in cultural exchange, referencing the Silk Road as a powerful symbol of connectivity across civilizations. He noted that today’s digital platforms and smart tourism infrastructure represent a modern continuation of that legacy, allowing culture to travel across borders through technology. China’s investments in digital heritage preservation, smart tourism solutions, and virtual access to cultural sites were highlighted as examples of how innovation can support both cultural continuity and global understanding.
The Forum addressed not only opportunities, but also responsibilities associated with digital transformation. Discussions emphasized the need to bridge digital divides, protect cultural authenticity, and ensure that local communities – including rural areas and smaller cultural institutions – benefit from technological progress. Ambassador Cujba stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, international cooperation, and digital literacy as essential enablers of inclusive cultural tourism, particularly in emerging economies.
Throughout the Forum, participants explored how technologies such as artificial intelligence, immersive media, blockchain, and digital platforms can enhance education, preservation, and access to cultural heritage, while supporting sustainable tourism models. The conversations reflected a shared understanding that culture is both a local identity and a global public good, and that digital tools must be applied responsibly to amplify – not dilute – its value.
BAI welcomed the Forum as an important platform for dialogue at the intersection of technology, culture, and development. The organization will continue to engage with partners across sectors to promote human-centered digital innovation, support knowledge exchange, and advance the use of emerging technologies in ways that strengthen cultural connection, foster inclusion, and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.