Information on 150 Eastern Cape tourism experiences and activities is now available at the touch of a button.
The Explore Eastern Cape data bonanza comes via a cellphone application that has been launched by the provincial economic development, environmental affairs and tourism department along with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency.
The agency’s CEO, Vuyani Dayimani, said the app included things to see and do, accommodation, transport options and emergency contacts.
“Technology is taking over the world and, with tourism, the benefits of migrating towards the global village are ideal and core to sustainability,” Dayimani said.
The app exposes users to locally owned businesses especially, and delivers a pinpoint mapping system which accurately navigates the user to the highlighted destination.
Users are able to communicate directly with showcased products through various communication platforms, he said.
“There are deals offered to ensure that travellers looking to explore the province get the very best packages, especially during this holiday period.”
The application is available free to download from all mobile platform app stores including Android, Apple and Windows, making it compatible with all mobile devices.
At just six megabytes it is small in size, allowing for a quick and easy download, Dayimani said.
“The app features include having your travel partner in your pocket to map your Eastern Cape adventure; access to key tourism information at the touch of a button; the capability to book at any Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency nature reserve from your mobile device; over 150 exciting Eastern Cape experiences and activities to choose from; and access to key safety contact numbers,” he said.
“There are also links to handy third-party travel service platforms and the app has a translator function, allowing for content to be translated from English into Sesotho, Dutch, German, Xhosa, French, Zulu and Afrikaans.”
The new provincial tourism app follows on a similar facility launched by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism a year ago.
The CEO of the Port Elizabeth-based organisation, Glenton de Kock, said on Wednesday he welcomed the move by the province.
“We have found that it has to be supported by marketing, especially for those older age groups who might not be so handy with the technology.
“But it gives travellers instant access to information as well as supportive content that allows them to get a better idea of what to expect, and it offers possible instant updates by service providers,” De Kock said.
“It’s the way international tourism is moving so we’re very supportive of [the app].”