World's First Virtual Citizen Maltese

Metaverse technology continues to bring the physical and digital worlds together. While 74% of adults are considering joining the metaverse in the future, Marija from Malta became the world's first virtual citizen. Meeting with the participants at the "Digital Tourism Roadmap: 2030" conference of the Ministry of Tourism and Consumer Protection, Marija was announced with the first virtual citizenship application.

Considered the next iteration of the internet, metaverse technology continues to bring the physical and digital worlds together. According to Statista's data on the subject, while 74% of adults worldwide are considering joining the metaverse in the future, another first has been achieved with artificial intelligence technology, and finally, Malta has created the world's first virtual citizen. Marija was announced with the launch of the first virtual citizenship application at the conference “Digital Tourism Roadmap: 11” organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Consumer Protection on March 2022, 2030. The virtual citizenship program, which brings together all the possibilities of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the metaverse, has also managed to attract attention in terms of being a first in the tourism sector. Developed at the end of a rigorous creative process with the collaboration of VisitMalta and Reimagine AI, comments were made on the "great harmony of art, science and technology" for the virtual citizen Marija.

The new virtual assistant for Maltese tourists: Marija

2D images were converted to 3D so that Marija could look like a typical Maltese woman. It was noted that Marija, who has in-depth knowledge of the historical and cultural values ​​of Malta, one of the smallest countries in the world, is ready to guide all tourists virtually. It has been announced that Marija, who is only 1 month old, will continue her learning process and will constantly improve herself. It was announced that Marija, who created a special dictionary system for her to speak Maltese with perfect pronunciation and a rich vocabulary, can speak in more than one language. It was stated that Malta's virtual guide Marija, who was introduced to the participants at the “Digital Tourism Roadmap: 2030” conference, can interact with people in real time through applications, answer questions and even make jokes.

Marija turned into a tourist opportunity product

Commented by the Minister of Tourism and Consumer Protection, Clayton Bartolo, as "an important step forward in the era of acceleration", this practice is also considered to be indicative of Malta's strong national digital strategy vision. VisitMalta CEO Johann Buttigieg, on the other hand, said Marija was an “exciting experience” and said that Malta has very important opportunities for its touristic future.