Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of Tourism, today launched the first 2010 Visitor Information Centres (VICs) in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth. The three world class centres, developed at a cost of R6,7 million, will form part of the legacy project for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
"The model for these centres is based on the best international practice and they will assist our tourism authorities in providing outstanding service to tourists as well as other stakeholders. With the launch of these facilities we are taking another step in the process to hosting a world class event next year which all South Africans can be proud of," Minister van Schalkwyk said.
With just 315 days until the start of the world cup, the centres are aimed at improving the South African tourism offering with a view to enhancing service excellence, growing tourism and creating opportunities for local economic development.
As part of the national VIC project, centres are being rolled out in five host cities, namely Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, Nelspruit, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein. These less visited provinces were earmarked for the VIC's in preparation for the World Cup, but also to grow their tourism arrivals from both local and international visitors.
According to Minister van Schalkwyk, the primary objective of the VIC project is to effectively address the tourism and information needs of the visitors expected to converge in the five host cities in 2010 and beyond. "The centres, funded by our department, create easy access and awareness of tourism related facilities and attractions within an area. VIC's are a key element of the visitor industry and play an integral part in the marketing chain and information distribution system," the Minister said.
"The centres provide tourists with a one stop service and will be able to assist with information on a wide range of tourism products including tourism information enquiries, reservations, accommodation, tours, vehicle hire, entertainment, dining, sports, adventure, shopping and travel tips," according to Minister van Schalkwyk.
The target markets for the VIC's include international tourists; local tourists; bed and breakfast establishments; homesteads; guesthouses; hotels; Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME's); booking agencies and tourism agencies.
"The information and reservation system used in the centres was developed in South Africa and is designed to cater specifically for the South African market. It has the same functionality as much more expensive international systems. The local system will allow for more participation by the members of tourism authorities, smaller establishments and SMME's," Minister van Schalkwyk said.
"These members will for the first time also have access to a centralised, standardised and affordable reservation system and advertising at a fraction of the price it would cost as a member an international organisation. The system provides SMME's with the opportunity to become members of a tourism organisation and be integrated into the tourism value chain. It will also allow members to update and control their reservation system, in turn providing up to the minute information to tourists," the Minister said.
Minister van Schalkwyk explained that the rationale behind the information technology system 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 World Cup. It will also afford the visitor the ability to access information from any location in one of the five host cities.
The VIC's were developed in line with international best practice following a feasibility study and host city needs analysis. International research was conducted in amongst others Sydney; Singapore; Dublin; Berlin; Hamburg; Tanzania and Dubai.
The VIC project entailed both the creation of new visitor centres and the upgrading of existing facilities.
In Port Elizabeth, the three VIC's are located within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, which incorporates Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch and Colchester. The existing lighthouse facility located at the Donkin Reserve was upgraded to serve as the flagship VIC, with the satellite facilities located at the Port Elizabeth airport and Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World.
Internal and infrastructural modifications were made to the existing facility at the Donkin Reserve in accordance with the model for the 2010 VIC's and the specific requirements for Port Elizabeth as identified during the needs analysis. The upgrade was completed in March 2009.
The Donkin Reserve VIC is designed to offer a basket of facilities to tourists. The VIC includes a welcome area, lobby, internet café and an information area. In addition, the facility will provide for a trading area with a curio shop, a coffee shop and a multi-purpose space which includes an interpretive area as well as a call centre and administrative offices. Banking, forex and booking facilities for a range of services including accommodation, travel and transport completes the facility.
The flagship Donkin Reserve facility was selected for a variety of reasons, including its location within the historical precinct, its position in the Port Elizabeth central business district as well as its heritage status. The venue is appropriate as it is an existing tourist attraction frequented by tourists. Furthermore the lighthouse, which was built in 1861, has been identified for an environmental upgrade as part of the city's urban renewal process.
The international study indicated the need for satellite information centres which are located away from the main VIC. The boardwalk information office was upgraded and opened in June 2008. The installation of the new airport facility was completed in May 2008.
The three centres make use of user friendly touch screens linked to a central database to cater for any tourist information requirements. In addition, hi-tech plasma screens display the tourism products on offer and the advertisements of local businesses. The centres furthermore provide information officers at the main desk, brochure displays on assorted tourist attractions, free internet access and an online booking system. All three VIC's are fully operational and offer a seven day a week service, in line with international standards.
The information technology component of the project was critical, as one of the key objectives of the project was the development of a cost effective information and reservation system. Using international best practice, a new visitor’s information system, namely Visitor Information Centres Enterprise Network Systems (VICENCYS), was developed to be used at all the information centres.
VICENSYS has the ability to allow users to plan and finalise a travel itinerary by means of touch screens or Web based technology. Furthermore, the system offers the tourist their own unique itinerary, which is accessible from anywhere in the world.
The partners and stakeholders in this initiative include our department, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, Anix Consulting and the development agency.
Sustainability of the project is assured, as it is owned by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, who is responsible for the official marketing of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
Roopa Singh
Cell: 082 225 3076
Ronel Bester
Cell: 083 242 7763
Kupido Baron
Cell: 082 780 2726
Issued by: Ministry of Tourism
30 July 2009
