“Launching of this Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is a win-win situation for both tourists and the local tourism industry. Tourists who will be visiting our country for the 2010 Soccer World Cup will get up to date information about facilities and services provided by local tourism operators. Operators should take advantage of the rare opportunity to market their products at a place we can call a one-stop information hub,” said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa, during the launch of the Nelspruit VIC, today.
The 412 square meter Nelspruit VIC was built at a cost of R7 million and it features a lobby area, information counter and display area, booking area, area for tour operators, administration offices and boardroom, interpretive/multi-purpose space, training facility, internet stations with server room, visitors’ lounge and ablution facilities.
The Nelspruit VIC concludes the department’s national project to launch such centres in five 2010 host cities located in provinces that were less visited by tourists. The department has to date launched VICs in Port Elizabeth in Eastern Cape, Polokwane in Limpopo, Rustenburg in North West and Bloemfontein in Free State. The five VICs were constructed to the tune of R34,3 Million.
All the VICs also boast a locally developed information and reservation system tailored to cater for the South African market. The department’s decision to erect VICs came as a result of recommendations arising from the global competitiveness study, the national tourism growth strategy and as a contribution to the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project.
The primary objective of the VIC project is to effectively address the tourism needs of visitors expected to converge in these five host cities in 2010 and beyond. All the VICs are intended to provide a one-stop information service to tourists on a wide range of aspects including information enquiries, reservations, accommodation, tours, vehicle hire, entertainment, dining, sports, adventure, shopping, travel tips, etc.
VICs play an important role in the tourism value chain and sales channel because it assists and influences visitors’ travel choices to and whilst in a destination. South Africa is providing a global standardised system geared towards the needs of the sophisticated well travelled tourist.
The idea was to integrate and standardise the technology component throughout South Africa to allow the visitor to have a seamless travel experience before, during and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It will also afford the visitor the ability to access information from any location in one of the five host cities.
Enquiries:
Luvuyo Shasha
Tel: 021 462 1777
Cell: 071 215 6373
E-mail: Lshasha@tourism.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Tourism
30 November 2009
