adminValentine Matsvaire, is expected to be online today.
The directory, which will be available on myzim.co.zw, will enable people to view various products and services offered across the country within the tourism and hospitality industry.
According to Mr Vera, the products and services will be categorised and advertised in terms of restaurants, accommodation, transport and entertainment.
“Locals or foreigners intending to travel to different parts of the country such as the Victoria Falls for instance have no access to vital information on which transporters ply that route and the costs involved to travel on those buses.
“They also need information, for instance, of where they can wine and dine in Bulawayo or when planning to visit Masvingo which hotel or lodge to book into. All this information will be available on our website,” said Mr Vera, who is also the product development officer for Myzim.
He added that apart from focusing on the consumer, the directory is also a platform for companies in the tourism sector to market themselves.
“Most organisations are in need of exposure to fully market their brands and we believe that our digital directory will offer the opportunity to communicate with the under-served segments in the market thereby realising consumer value which is currently not being fully satisfied.
“We also believe that the power of digital advertising can be fully exploited with the rigorous application of integrated marketing disciplines to drive quantifiable bottom line incremental business growth that best suits our client.
“Currently, research estimates that one in every five Zimbabweans now owns a smartphone or at least has access to the Internet, therefore this has given equal access to millions creating powerful new advertising channels through which we as Myzim could spread brand message effectively,” he said.
Mr Vera added that their initiative was a response to Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi’s call to market Zimbabwe to the global community.
“As Myzim we believe offering organisations such a platform would not only benefit themselves but also the country in making vital information available to consumers,” said Vera.
The young company employs a staff complement of about 10 permanent staff members with the rest being sales and marketing agents.
The launch of the web-based digital directory comes at a time when Zimbabwe is set to co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly meeting with Zambia in August this year.
Stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries are expecting brisk business from delegates that are expected to attend the event.
Online Reporter