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The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme convened a Deep Dive Online Thematic Webinar on March 31st, 2026 under Community of Practice (CoP) 3, focusing on the use of integrated smart technologies to promote sustainable ecotourism in Seberang Perai, Malaysia.
The session showcased three innovative pilot actions led by the Seberang Perai City Council: the AutoCity SpiderWeb Ecosystem, an AI-powered CRM platform for managing tourism data; a 3D Immersive Studio designed for interactive educational storytelling; and animated storytelling initiatives featuring local biodiversity. These projects aim to enhance visitor engagement while supporting environmentally responsible tourism development.
Discussions highlighted the importance of aligning smart tourism solutions with sustainability goals, including the use of renewable energy, green building practices, and efficient data management systems. Participants also explored challenges such as building robust tourism databases and ensuring long-term environmental and financial sustainability.
The webinar fostered active exchange among participating cities, with opportunities identified for collaboration, including linking Seberang Perai’s initiatives with other pilot actions such as the Human SMART Living Lab in Coimbra. The session also set the stage for an upcoming advanced learning study visit in June, where partners will further explore technical aspects and formalize cooperation through potential Memoranda of Understanding.
Alongside Seberang Perai, partner cities under CoP 3—Prato (Italy), Gangtok (India), and Jeonju (Republic of Korea)—actively contributed to the discussions, enabling valuable exchange of experiences and opportunities for future collaboration
This deep dive session reflects IURC’s continued commitment to supporting cities in leveraging innovation and international cooperation to advance sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready urban tourism models.
