admin
Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has joined hands with the country’s first online tourism company, One Stop Shop Shanya Tourism Group, in marketing Zimbabwe as a favourable tourist destination towards meeting an annual revenue target of $5 billion.ZTA chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke said the move was in line with the government’s thrust to embrace modern information communication technologies in doing business.
“Tourism should contribute towards economic revival in the country. The government’s move to partner with One Stop Shop Shanya tourism group is greatly appreciated.
“Currently e-marketing is the latest way of communication. Large numbers of people can be reached through online activities,” said Kaseke.
ZTA market research and product development director, Sophie Zirebwa said: “Operators in the tourism sector especially small ones like lodges and safaris are still using traditional means of communicating with their clients. There is a need to increase their access to online operations.”
She said travellers were increasingly making decisions on destinations based on information they receive online.
Zirebwa also said there was a need to educate tourists and operators in the tourism sector about online business.
“We’ve local and foreign tourists who are not able to access certain information and resources because they are not aware of online business operations which enable access to information on a global level,” she said adding, “People should be educated and made aware of the endless opportunities found on the internet.”
One Stop Shop Shanya Tourism Group focuses on e-marketing and online operations with special regards to finding ways of boosting the tourism sector.
The integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is necessary in improving the tourism sector in the country on a global scale.
Zimbabwe currently earns on average $1 billion annually from tourism receipts, falling behind neighbouring South Africa, which clocks $12 billion and Tanzania at $1,7 billion.
Online Reporter