Village Travel Bot, an innovative chatbot funded by the European Union and designed to enhance rural tourism in Moldova, was awarded the prestigious title of “Tourism Innovation of the Year 2024” at the Excellence in Tourism Gala during the Moldova Tourism Forum 2024. The forum, which centered around the theme of Tourism and Peace, highlighted technological innovations shaping the future of the tourism industry, with Village Travel Bot being recognized for its transformative impact.
“This distinction reaffirms the value of Village Travel Bot and motivates us to continue developing innovative solutions that bring value to both the tourism industry and our communities,” said Tatiana Arcan, the Project Manager and Co-Founder of AO InnoVillage, the organization behind the bot’s creation.
Launched in August 2024, with support from the European Union, Village Travel Bot is an interactive Telegram chatbot that connects users with the authenticity of Moldova’s rural communities. Featuring five pilot villages—Butuceni, Milești, Selemet, Puhăceni, and Gura Bîcului—the bot offers personalized travel recommendations, helping users discover local attractions, book accommodations, and engage with local businesses. Through interactive stories, multimedia content, and lesser-known facts, tourists can immerse themselves in Moldova’s rich cultural heritage.
This acknowledgment at the Moldova Tourism Forum 2024 further solidifies Village Travel Bot’s role in boosting rural tourism and supporting the economic development of Moldova’s villages.
Village Travel Bot is part of the European Union’ broader effort to support digital innovation in the Eastern Partnership countries through the annual EaP Civic Tech Hackathons organised by our EU-funded Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility project. For further information or more details about “Village Travel Bot”, please visit www.villagetravel.md or explore the bot here: Village Travel Bot.
