A First for Africa - New Pan African E-Tourism Africa Conferences to Help Tourism sector prepare for 2010
Published: 02 Jul 2008
Johannesburg .. A new initiative to develop Africa’s tourism and travel sector was launched today. For the first time in Africa, E Tourism Africa Conferences will be held across the continent to assist Africa’s tourism sector to better understand the internet and the range of online marketing opportunities now available, especially in the lead up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The E Tourism Africa conferences, which will be held in Southern, East, North and West Africa, will bring together global online and digital experts, from companies such as Expedia, Digital Visitor, Microsoft, Google, Eviivo, New Mind, WAYN (Where Are You Now?) the world’s largest social network for travelers with over 12 Million members and many more. The international experts will address conference delegates about the new technologies available, as well as highlighting marketing and e-commerce solutions, the best use of social networking, the implications of blogging and the importance of user generated content and online video for the travel trade.
The conferences are being organized by E Tourism Africa, a major new initiative to bring online tourism focused education to Africa, in conjunction with Microsoft and EyeforTravel, the World’s largest Online Travel Conferencing Organisation.
The managing director of E Tourism Africa, Mr Damian Cook, explains the reasons for the conferences, “It is vital that the tourism sector in Africa becomes aware of the vast online opportunities for their businesses. The Internet is becoming the leading source of travel information and sales for the modern consumer, yet very little African tourism is sold online and finding and booking African destinations on the web can be a challenge”.
He went on to say, “Up till now there has been very little information available to the travel trade in Africa on how they can maximize their online presence. The aim of E Tourism Africa is to alter the imbalance between the way tourism is marketed and sold globally and in Africa, where traditional sales channels still dominate. This disparity presents a very real threat for Africa, as Africa risks disappearing from the view of online travel shoppers”.
Also launched was the E- Tourism Africa website, www.e-tourismafrica.com which will give detailed information about the conferences as well as providing a library of resources on online travel and a forum for discussion groups on e tourism issues in Africa.
The first E Tourism Africa conference will focus on the Southern African region and it will be held in Johannesburg on 1-2 September, it is being supported by First National Bank, (FNB), Microsoft, Visa International and Johannesburg Tourism Company. Following the Southern Africa event, the East Africa conference will be held in Nairobi on the 13-14 October, with Safaricom as the title sponsor. Conferences are then planned for Cairo and Ghana in early 2009, culminating with a pan African event in Cape Town in June 2009.
ENDS
For additional information visit www.e-tourismafrica.com
Damian Cook- Managing Director E Tourism Africa
Email: damian@e-tourismafrica.com
Cell: +254 733 826 712
Or contact Elizabeth Cook at Tell-Em Public Relations - Nairobi
Email: elizabeth.cook@tell-em-pr.com
Office: +27 20 374 3764 or 374 6508
Notes to Editor
Online Travel Information
There are an estimated 1.2 billion internet users globally. There has been substantial growth in all world regions, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, which, over seven years, has moved from third position (with about 100 million users), to top position with over 400 million. Current forecasts suggest 1.5 billion people with Internet access in 2011.
In general, travellers are increasingly computer literate and tech aware, with two thirds of the over 100 million travelers who are online (using the Internet to make travel plans). Among online frequent travellers, over 70 percent use the Internet for travel planning. A recent poll of young UK travellers showed an 89% preference for online booking.
New media on the web has major ramifications for travel. This is reflective of the new Web 2.0 environment, fuelled by content and driven by Social Networking. About 44% of US consumers will use social networking at least once a month in 2008. Some 70% of Internet content is forecast to be created by individuals as opposed to publishers and brands within three years.
The nearly tenfold increase in social network advertising spending in the US reflects optimism in the ability of companies like YouTube, MySpace and Facebook. By 2011, research estimates there will be 95 million Web users creating content online, up from 64 million in 2006. (ETC New Media Review, Emarketer, EyeforTravel) www.eyefortravel.com
About E Tourism Africa
The E Tourism conferences, which are a first for Africa, will educate and provide resources to both the private and public sectors to enable a shift from traditional sales and marketing methods to create a locally based, business driven environment for online travel distribution and e-commerce.
The conference programme is being implemented in association with Microsoft and EyeforTravel International, see www.eyefortravel.com
E Tourism Africa Conference Dates and Locations
The E Tourism Southern Africa conference will be held in Johannesburg at the FNB Building at Fairland on the 1st-2nd September, followed by three days of special training seminars for the tourist trade on the 3rd-5th September at the FNB Conference and Learning Centre in Sandown, Santon, Johannesburg.
The E Tourism East Africa conference will be held in Nairobi at the Fox Cinema at Sarit Centre on the 13-14th October, followed by three days of special training seminars for the tourism sector on the 15-17th October at the KWS Training Centre.
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