Tech Tourism Cluster leads a Catalan mission to China to discover the tourism of the future

Over six days, from April 12 to 17, participants will immerse themselves in one of the most advanced innovation ecosystems in the world. The trip is part of the TTC’s internationalization strategy, which is supported by ACCIÓ's foreign offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The goal is to see firsthand how technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, service robotics, or immersive experiences are already part of the everyday life of travelers in Asia.

This level of implementation, according to industry experts, is several years ahead of Europe. As Xavier Garcia points out: “China is not redefining the game, it is reprogramming the entire global technological system”. In cities like Shanghai, these innovations translate into concrete applications: robots managing deliveries in hotels, facial recognition systems for check-in, or virtual assistants capable of personalizing itineraries in real-time.

The agenda includes meetings with major tech companies like Ctrip or Tencent Cloud, and visits to centers such as the Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Innovation Center, a leading hub in the development of advanced humanoid robotics. The mission will continue in Shenzhen, considered Asia's great industrial and technological laboratory. There, the delegation will get a close look at the work of companies like DJI or Keenon Robotics, leaders in the use of drones and service robots applied to hotel operations and visitor experience. In addition, Catalan companies will participate in networking sessions with investors and local partners, with the aim of exploring agreements, pilot projects, and investment opportunities.

Beyond the visits, the initiative will allow Catalan companies to understand how these technologies are integrated into real urban environments, from heritage digitalization to smart destination management. With initiatives like this, the Tech Tourism Cluster seeks to consolidate Catalonia's position as one of the benchmarks in tourism technology, at a time when innovation has become a key factor for the future of the sector.