By Daniel Chigundu
PLAYERS in the country’s tourism sector have been called upon to adopt the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance their business operations.
Use of modern technologies (ICTs) has become the order of the day in the business sector across the world.
Most companies are now marketing or popularising their products through social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter and many others and this has helped them get instant feedback.
The tourism sector can benefit greatly if it decides to fully integrate technology in its marketing and branding strategies.
Addressing delegates who had gathered for World Tourism Day celebrations in Victoria Falls, Deputy Minister of ICT and Courier Services Jerifan Muswere said the tourism must embrace technology if it wants to remain competitive and visible across the world.
“Social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Whatsapp, have collapsed the distance between people through posting messages and communication in real time. It is now common practice that hospitality service provision and destination marketing are now reviewed at the click of a button from anywhere in the world.
“Government has realised the importance of the ICT and prioritise ranking as an enabler for the growth established a fully-fledged Ministry to take care of this sector.
“…I would like to encourage the tourism and hospitality players to embrace these ICTs to remain competitive in the global village.
“Let me reiterate fellow colleagues that the 2018 global theme of ‘Tourism and the digital transformation’ highlights the importance of digital transformation in the tourism and hospitality industry,” he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, ICT forms the backbone of today’s economy and have enormous potential to fast forward progress on the MDGs and improve people’s lives in fundamental ways and tourism is not spared.
He said the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development also recognises the great potential of global connectivity to spur human progress.
The government said there is a need for digital transformation in all areas of business, fundamentally changing how the organisation operate and deliver value to customers,” he said.
