UNWTO and Microsoft to boost e-tourism for development in Africa

Expanding its effort to help international tourism respond to natural or man-made disasters, UN World Tourism Organization unveiled a new Internet portal in collaboration with Microsoft at the World Travel Market in London on November 6 that will eventually provide round-the-clock tracking of emergencies such as bird flu or conflict from the travel perspective.

The UN World Tourism Organization and Microsoft Corporation announced a long term partnership in July in Cape Town with the aim of expanding information communications technology for emerging tourism economies like Africa to improve their export competitiveness, product quality and support skills. Bill Gates along with the World Tourism Organization outlined an initiative to put Africa’s tourist destinations online though the “Windows on Africa” portal.

In his keynote speech at the Global Leaders Forum for Africa, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates cited the public/private partnership with United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the kind of implementing program that will help over 40 million people in Africa drive toward future economic growth. Gates said “Microsoft wants to play a hands-on role to help countries and entire regions develop their knowledge-based economy, create jobs, spur growth and enable innovation. We can do this by providing easy and affordable access to technology and helping our partners build robust local software economies.”

“The creation of a new Portal called “Windows on Africa” developed through co-operation between UNWTO and NEPAD. The portal will showcase Africa in a globally competitive way: it will be able to be replicated at the national and local levels. It will be capable of linking to visitor centres, museums, and libraries. Ultimately, it will even provide real-time advice via PDA’s and mobile devices with destination specific data.

” Support for the UNWTO Emergency Response System by creation of a portal to aggregate information on catastrophes affecting tourism, to provide a new framework for improved industry response. The portal will bring together public and sector specific data, incorporating tools for information sharing and improved messaging. It will assist tourism destinations and stakeholders to respond more rapidly and effectively in emergencies and help recovery programs. The portal will be used initially to strengthen industry preparedness for a potential avian flu pandemic.”

He also said that over the next five years Microsoft would collaborate closely to build a leading edge ICT dimension into all of our key programs ranging from improved access for tourists through electronic border clearance, to better quality service through distance training and sustainability management at destinations”.

Report by Chitra Mogul