E-Tourism Africa officially launched on July 1st in Johannesburg, announcing the 2008-2009 programme of events and conferences. The Southern African conference and training seminars (Sept 1st-5th) will play a key role in preparing the region to be smarter and more effective in the promotion and management of the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Lindiwe Mahlangu, the CEO of Johannesburg Tourism Company, said “We want to show the world that Johannesburg will be ICT prepared for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.  We want to be seen as a world class city not only in terms of our infrastructure but also in terms of how tourists and business travelers can book and use the internet for all their Southern African travel”.

The first E Tourism Africa conference, held in association with Microsoft and EyeforTravel will focus on the Southern African region and will bring together global online and digital experts, from companies such as Expedia, Digital Visitor, Microsoft, New Mind, Prebook, Nightsbridge, WAYN (Where Are You Now?) the world’s largest social network for travelers with over 12 Million members and many more. The international experts will address conference delegates about the new technologies available, as well as highlighting marketing and commerce solutions, the best use of social networking, the implications of blogging and the importance of consumer generated content and online video for the travel trade.

It is being supported by First National Bank, (FNB) Microsoft, Visa International and Johannesburg Tourism Company. Following the Southern Africa event, conferences will be held in Nairobi in October, with additional conferences planned for Cairo and Ghana in early 2009, culminating with a pan African event  in June 2009.

FNB 2010 National Supporter and the title sponsor of the event, said the company had a very strong commitment to tourism and wants the sector to explore all the opportunities available and ensure that all South Africans benefit from the legacy that will be created by the greatest show on earth. “We see tourism as a major driver of the region’s economy, especially in the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We have developed specific solutions for our tourism clients – including Prebook, a complete reservations and e commerce solution. Prebook offers the tourism owner a real time online booking and transacting solution to ensure the virtual Tourist has a World class booking experience.  FNB’s involvement in the E Tourism Africa conference is an example of how FNB assists the Tourism industry to get ready to host the greatest show on earth" said Pieter de Bruin Head of Tourism, for FNB Commercial.

Visa International is also supporting the conference. “With so many products and services being purchased online today we want to ensure that the tourism sector knows the values and benefits of accepting online payments. We also want to highlight the importance of managing secure payments online,” said Gill Buchanan, Corporate Communication Manager Sub Saharan Africa at Visa.

The E Tourism Southern Africa conference will be held in Johannesburg at the FNB Building at Fairland on the 1st-2nd September, followed by three days of special training seminars for the tourist trade on the 3rd-5th September at the FNB Conference and Learning Centre – Sandown, Sandton.

Online Registration is now open.