National tourism database a step closer

Western Cape tourism product owners will be the first in the country to benefit from exposure on both the national and provincial tourism websites by being part of the National Tourism Product Database (NTDB).

The province has been picked by SA Tourism to pilot this database, which will allow small businesses to upload information about their services and products onto a central platform that assists the South African tourism industry in meeting the needs of potential tourists.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, more than 80% of all travel decisions are based on online information. The NTDB is intended to make it easier for tourists to plan their activities.

Western Cape Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, said: “Being chosen by SA Tourism to pilot the NTDB is something we are extremely proud of. There are major benefits to this collaboration, not least of which is the showcasing of our tourism products, from the well established to newly emerging, on the world wide web. Collaborative efforts such as this one are crucial if we want to continue to stimulate growth of the Cape Town and Western Cape tourism industry.”

Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU) works closely with SA Tourism on a host of projects and is also the first province to share SA Tourism’s content management system. CTRU CEO Calvyn Gilfellan said: “These areas of co-operation benefit the industry enormously and the NTDB is geared at specifically providing online access to small product owners and emerging entrepreneurs. Product owners now stand a real chance to increase their competitiveness in the marketplace.”

SA Tourism’s global emarketing manager William Price said: “At SA Tourism, the NTDB has been a cornerstone to the redevelopment of Southafrica.net – our primary online marketing platform -and we have recognised the support that the online travel researcher needs to decide where to go, what to do and where to experience it online.

“The NTDB remains a key focus for us post 2010 World Cup and partnering with the provincial authorities, local and regional travel organisations, means that we are able to connect the consumers with the travel trade providers directly online.”

All product information on the database will be verified by CTRU and the relevant local tourism organisations (LTOs). Roadshows and training sessions for LTOs on utilising the database are planned for next month. The NTDB will be implemented in April.