Hamad Al Jabri: Why real travel experiences matter in the age of AI and social media

Despite advancements in artificial intelligence and social media, photographs and digital content cannot fully encapsulate the nuances and emotions of experiencing a destination firsthand, according to Emirati content creator and travel writer Dr Hamad Al Jabri. He made this assertion at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2026, during a session titled "The Art of Travel Writing" organized by Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) under its "Behind the Scenes" pillar.

The session occurred at Expo Centre Sharjah, where the fair, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme "Made of Stories," continues until November 15.

Al Jabri drew upon his travels across various Latin American countries, highlighting the region's rich cultural and social diversity. His fascination with the area led him from mere sightseeing to researching local customs and traditions, and eventually to documenting his findings through travel writing. He noted a striking similarity in the cultural and human connections he observed between Latin American and Arab societies, despite the vast geographical distance between them, which further fueled his interest in the region's cultural intricacies. These experiences and observations became the foundation of his writing.

What distinguishes quality travel writing, according to Al Jabri, is its literary depth; its ability to convey to readers not just the visual aspects of a place or event, but the profound meaning and emotional resonance behind them. He emphasized that while many can witness and record the same scene, it is the writer's unique interpretation and style that truly transforms the experience into something meaningful.

For Al Jabri, the essence of travel writing lies in extracting the human significance of those moments, transforming them into narratives that stir readers' emotions. The session was part of SPL's Library of Civilisation programme at SIBF 2026, featuring seven cultural events across three pillars: Book in Focus, Behind the Scenes, and The Big Book Club.

This initiative aims to demonstrate how libraries preserve and transmit knowledge across generations, and to foster discussions around books, reading, and creative experiences.